Targeted Nutritional and Behavioral Feeding Intervention fora Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

A variety of feeding issues and concerns, including food aversion, food selectivity, and complete food refusal, are not uncommonamong children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Other underlying issues are often comorbid with the concerns for feedingand ASD. These may include food allergies, gastrointestinal issues, oral motor issues, and swallowing disorders. The refusal toconsume particular foods coupled with the inability to tolerate, digest, and absorb these foods can compromise an individual’soverall nutrition status. Therefore, a child’s behavior toward food and feeding activities has great impact on dietary intake,nutritional status, and growth. This case report is the first to document combined medical, behavioral, and nutritional interventionfor a toddler with ASD and comorbid feeding disorder.