Maternal perceptions of nutrition, stress, time, and assistance during mealtimes: Similarities and differences between mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders and mothers of children with typical development

ABSTRACT

This study examined similarities and differences between mothers of preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and mothers of preschool children with typical development (TD) in their perceptions of four mealtime outcomes: nutritional intake, stress, time, and assistance given. One group of 24 mothers of children with ASD and one group of 24 mothers of children with TD completed a 3-day mealtime survey that addressed these four mealtime perceptions. Results from this study showed many similarities and some significant differences between the two groups of mothers during specific mealtimes. Mothers of children with ASD reported they perceived their child ate less nutritiously during breakfast, felt more stressed during dinner, and required more assistance during breakfast and snacks compared to mothers of children with TD. Family’s mealtime expectations and mealtime routines are discussed. Implications for interdisciplinary mealtime interventions for families with children with ASD. Future research directions are presented including examining father’s perceptions of mealtimes and an exploration of whether feeding problems of older children with ASD and older children with TD improve or increasingly diverge.

KEYWORDS:

• ASD
• autism spectrum disorders
• feeding problems
• parental stress
• parents
• preschool children

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge all the children and families who participated in this study. We would also like to acknowledge the support of the UNM Center for Development and Disability in recruiting participants and the research assistants Sarah Picchiarini, MOT, OTR/L, and Kaylyn Acree, MOT, OTR/L, who helped collect and enter data. This was the second author’s master’s research project for the UNM Occupational Therapy Graduate Program.

Disclosure statement

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Funding

This research was funded from a grant received from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine Research Allocation Committee.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded from a grant received from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine Research Allocation Committee.