The Sequential Oral Sensory Approach for Limited Food Repertoire in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Feeding problems in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been found to vary from 46-89%, with significant variability in feeding patterns. Feeding problems can lead to failure to thrive, nutritional deficiencies, growth retardation, social deficits and poor academic achievements. Common feeding problems are typified by limited food repertoire, food refusal and high frequency single food intake. The etiology of feeding problems in children with ASD is multifactorial and includes sensory issues, perseveration, avoidance of novel stimuli and food intolerance. No single aetiology has been assigned to limited food repertoire in children diagnosed with ASD. A recent meta-analysis of feeding problems and nutritional intake in children diagnosed with ASD reveals that children with ASD had more feeding problems when compared to peers (odds ratio 5.11, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 3.74-6.97). There was significantly lower intake of calcium and protein. Children diagnosed with ASD have limited food repertoire compared to typically developing children (19.0 (5.0) foods eaten vs. 22.5 (4.6) foods eaten, p value 0.0003) and they have evidence of nutritional inadequacies and poor bone growth. The impact of feeding problems extends to the home environment and may contribute to parental stress and affect bonding/ attachment of child to caregiver during mealtimes. This phenomena has not been explored in depth in current research.

Behavioural intervention using an interdisciplinary team model is the hallmark intervention for the treatment of feeding problems in children diagnosed with ASD. However there is limited research data available in this field. Behavioural intervention approaches described in the literature include stimulus control, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, discrimination training, extinction, punishment and desensitization. Positive reinforcement-based intervention, physical guidance, and non-removal of the spoon are techniques which have found to be useful based on case reports. These interventions require highly structured environments, are costly and at times parents are not involved in the management plan, thus limiting generalizability. There is no consensus regarding which technique is superior and more effective.

There are three published interventional studies which directly address feeding problems in ASD. These span from intensive inpatient management to behavioural patient based curriculum. A retrospective chart review of 37 children over a 2 year period seen in group intervention sessions using the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach showed some promise in increasing food variability and intake. The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach is a multidisciplinary program for assessing and treating children with feeding and weight problems. This program uses a systematic desensitization hierarchy of skills necessary for children to progress with eating various food textures. The technique is patient controlled, where the patient is "allowed to move away" from the exposure. The goal of the therapy is to maintain a competing response in the face of increasing incremental exposures. The SOS approach if effective presents a more affordable treatment option, in a natural outpatient setting and utilizes parental participation under supervision which may translate to generalizability to the home environment. Given the prevalence of feeding challenges in ASD exploring this option should be undertaken given its suggested implications.