The SWedish Eating Assessment for Autism spectrum disorders (SWEAA)-Validation of a self-report questionnaire targeting eating disturbances within the autism spectrum.

Bøttcher et al. (2013) built a new checklist called SWEAA. It asks people with autism to rate their own eating habits.

The team checked that answers stay the same when people retake it. They also made sure scores line up with real-life mealtime problems.

All participants had autism and average or above IQ. They could read and answer questions on their own.

The SWEAA gave steady results each time. High scores matched real eating struggles reported by clinicians.

The study showed the tool is both reliable and valid for teens and adults with autism who can self-report.

Gal et al. (2022) later made a parent version called AEQ for young kids. Together, SWEAA and AEQ now cover both self-report and parent-report across ages.

Milane et al. (2025) reviewed the field and found BAMBI and BPFAS are used most often. SWEAA is newer, so it is less common but offers deeper detail for high-functioning clients.

Kalyva (2009) used an old eating-disorder scale on girls with Asperger syndrome. That study hinted at the need for an autism-specific tool, which SWEAA later delivered.

If you serve teens or adults with autism who can read, keep a copy of SWEAA handy. It takes ten minutes and gives a clear picture of mealtime issues. Use the results to pick goals, plan feeding interventions, or refer to a dietitian.