Impact of Selective Eating on Social Domains Among Transition-Age Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study.
Transition-age autistic youth say their picky eating rarely hampers social life—they’ve already figured out coping tricks.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Green et al. (2020) talked with autistic young adults aged 18-25 about picky eating.
They asked how food choices affect friendships, dating, school, and work.
The team recorded stories, not numbers, to learn what the youth themselves think.
What they found
The youth said their selective eating is 'no big deal' in social life.
They already use self-made tricks: check menus online, bring safe snacks, pick restaurants they know.
Most did not feel left out or bullied because of food.
How this fits with other research
Esteban-Figuerola et al. (2019) found younger autistic kids eat less calcium and vitamin D. C et al. show the same kids grow up and still eat narrowly, yet feel fine.
Park-Cardoso et al. (2023) also heard adults call rigid food rules 'helpful self-regulation,' matching the coping tricks here.
Myers et al. (2015) warned that community participation drops after high school. C et al. give a brighter view: food situations are one area youth already handle.
Why it matters
Before you write a picky-eating goal, ask the client if food is actually a problem. Many will say they have it covered. Shift therapy time to skills the youth still want help with, not the ones they already solved.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Food selectivity is a common feeding problem among autistic children. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the impact of selective eating on key social domains-with family, peers, and in other social situations-of transition-age autistic youth who self-identified as being food selective. Interviews were conducted with 20 autistic youth ages 18-23 years. Data were analyzed using descriptive and thematic coding. Participants had developed a range of strategies to cope with their food selectivity, and although some expressed concerns, they did not feel that it had a major impact on social situations. A responsive approach to supporting such youth would likely involve recognizing the effort and skills that the youth have already developed around this issue.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2020 · doi:10.1007/s10803-020-04397-4