By Sarah Cohen
Food selectivity is a common concern among children with disabilities, particularly those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This issue can impact a child's nutrition, growth, and overall well-being. Food selectivity occurs on a spectrum from mild picky eating to severe restrictions in food variety. However, food selectivity in Autism can last into adulthood, whereas typical picky eating usually peaks in early childhood and can start improving. For many children with autism, sensory sensitivities, such as the texture, temperature, color, or smell of food, can make trying new foods very difficult.
Over the years, many treatment approaches have been introduced to address this challenge. Two of the most well-known are the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach and the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approach. These methods greatly differ in their structure and philosophy.
The SOS approach is play-based and focuses on helping children become more comfortable with food through a gradual process. Rather than forcing children to eat, the SOS method encourages interaction with food in a non-pressure way, such as smelling, touching, or playing with it.
In contrast, the ABA approach uses structured routines and reinforcement strategies to encourage desired behaviors around food. ABA clinicians may use positive reinforcement to increase food acceptance, such as offering praise or a fun activity when a child takes a bite of a new food.
Both the SOS and ABA approaches have gained attention in recent years. Research on their effectiveness continues to evolve. Studies have shown that ABA methods can be particularly effective in increasing food acceptance and decreasing disruptive mealtime behaviors (Peterson et al., 2016). However, not every child will respond the same way to a given approach, making it critical to tailor any intervention to the individual child, taking into account their unique preferences and challenges.
In conclusion, food selectivity is a complicated issue for many children with autism. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, both the SOS and ABA approaches offer promising strategies. Ultimately, the most effective interventions are those that are individualized and supported by a multidisciplinary team.
References
Peterson, K. M., Piazza, C. C., Volkert, V. M., & Ahearn, W. H. (2016). A systematic review of behavioral interventions for food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 3(2), 152–165.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-016-0074-x
Toomey, K. A., & Ross, E. S. (2011). SOS Approach to Feeding. Perspectives on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia), 20(3), 82–87.* https://doi.org/10.1044/sasd20.3.82
