Avaliação do comportamento alimentar de crianças e adolescentes do espectro autista de um centro municipal de educação especializada no Seridó Potiguar.

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a dysfunction in the aspects of social and intellectual development, which can cause changes in behavior, reflecting on language and social interaction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the eating behavior of children and adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorder from a municipal specialized education center in Seridó Potiguar. This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative and descriptive approach. The Eating Behavior Assessment Scale was used, evaluating parameters of 11 participants, where 10 were male and 1 female. The results of this study showed that 55% of participants avoid eating cooked and/or raw vegetables and 45% avoid eating fruit. In addition, more than 50% want to always eat the same foods and always from the same brand, packaging or character, on the other hand, but 60% of the participants did not show behaviors in the items "They have difficulties to sit down at the table to eat meals ( ex.: eats lunch on the floor, sofa and bed)” and “drinks, eats, licks foreign substances or objects (ex.: soap, earth, plastic, chewing gum)” Among the themes of eating behavior, austere behavior related to eating is a relevant problem, where inappropriate habits and stimuli during meals can directly interfere with food intake, having a negative effect on the child's development and affecting adequate consumption during meals. being important for the prevention of diseases such as childhood obesity and eating disorders, it can contribute to attenuating the symptoms related to ASD, in addition to promoting greater education. functional dependence and social interaction, thus generating a better quality of life for these individuals.