Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment

191-203

Authors: Shirley F. Evans, Mark Payton, Tay Kennedy

Background: Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), aged 3 to 5 years, have physical, behavioral, and functional problems. Because of alcohol-related deficits, children with FASDs are at risk for malnutrition; yet, little is known about how FASD affects eating behavior and nutrition. Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify atypical eating behavior in children with FASDs, aged 3 to 5 years, and their associations with socio-demographic characteristics. Method:This descriptive cross-sectional study gathered data from a caregiver-reported online survey targeting the eating behavior of preschool-aged children with FASDs. The survey included the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Participants/Setting:Seventy-four caregivers qualified for the study with nine having two children with FASDs. Responses to survey questions varied since caregivers had permission to omit any question. Results: Significant differences were found between the preschool-aged children with FASDs and Wardle's published normative sample by gender and age. Compared to reported norms, study children scored higher in Desire to Drink, Food Responsiveness, Emotional Overeating, and Food Fussiness, and lower in Enjoyment of Food. Regarding socio-demographic characteristics, there was greater Enjoyment of Food with larger families and Food Avoidance with college-educated caregivers. Conclusion: Children with FASDs, aged 3 to 5 years, have atypical eating behaviors characteristic of maladaptive appetites, overeating under stress, selective eating, slowness in eating, and an excessive need for drinks, in comparison with a published normative sample.

217-221

Authors: Ayhan Bilgiç, Necati Uzun

Background: Emotional and behavioural problems occur at a high rate in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These problems are associated with a broad range of risk factors such as parental psychopathology and family environment in school-age children and adolescents. However, limited information is available about these phenomena in toddlers and preschool children. This cross-sectional study examined the association of maternal and paternal psychiatric symptoms and mother-child relationships with emotional and behavioural problems and socioemotional competence of newly-diagnosed young children with ASD. Method: Autistic symptoms, developmental level, and mother-child relationship of children were evaluated. Parents completed a checklist on child behavioural and emotional problems, and individual questionnaires on their own mental health. Results: Participants were 35 children with ASD aged 18 – 53 months, referred to an infant mental health clinic. Maternal hostility and poor mother-child relationships have been found to be independently associated with emotional and behaviour problems in these children. Conclusions: This study suggests that maternal hostility and mother-child relationship problems may play a role for the development of emotional and behaviour problems in toddlers and preschool children with ASD.