Narratives of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders: focus on eating behavior
Narrativa de mães de crianças com transtorno do espectro do autismo: foco no comportamento alimentar
Trends psychiatry psychother. (Impr.); 39 (3), 2017
Publication year: 2017
Abstract Objective To investigate the eating behavior of individuals with autism through their mothers' narratives. Methods The study of narratives was used to report on the narrators' experiences. Data on the eating habits of individuals with autism were collected using semi-structured interviews held individually with the mothers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and codified using the NVivo software program. Results Eighteen mothers of boys/young men with autism participated in the study.
Analysis yielded three major categories:
eating patterns, the family's attitudes to the child's eating habits, and food-related behavior. Conclusion Results show that autism-related factors may affect the child's food choices. Environmental factors, particularly the parents' behavior, may also play a decisive role, both in reinforcing the child's food choices and in encouraging a healthier and more diversified diet. Professionals should instruct parents regarding their decisive role in reinforcing or discouraging inappropriate mealtime behavior in children with autism.
Resumo Objetivo Investigar o comportamento alimentar de indivíduos com transtorno do espectro do autismo (TEA) através das narrativas de suas mães. Métodos Os dados sobre os hábitos alimentares dos indivíduos com TEA foram coletados utilizando entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas individualmente com as mães. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e codificadas usando o programa NVivo. Resultados Dezoito mães de meninos/jovens homens com autismo participaram do estudo.