TELS Research: Research Projects
Jamie Pearson, Ph.D., assistant professor of special education at the NC State College of Education, spent much of her early career working as an applied behavior analysis therapist for intensive in-home programs for children with autism. There, she encountered her first student with a restrictive diet.
Many children with autism can develop food aversions that lead to nutritional deficiencies in essential food groups, vitamins and minerals. Overcoming these aversions, Pearson said, can lead to not only a healthier diet but also positive meal-time experiences, more opportunities for socialization and strengthened developmental trajectories for the child.
On June 12, Pearson — the founder of FACES (Fostering Advocacy, Communication, Empowerment, and Supports for African American Families of Children with Autism) who has spent the past decade working with children with disabilities and their families — will share advice for families struggling with food selectivity as part of the Sunrise to Sunset: Supporting Children with Autism Through Their Day webinar series.
In the below Q&A, Pearson previews some of the topics the webinar will cover and shares the steps parents and practitioners can take to help children with autism diversify their diet.
In your experience, what are some of the most common problems, limitations and concerns families of children with autism face regarding dietary preferences and limitations?
Children with autism are five times more likely to have mealtime challenges than their neurotypical peers. And, although many young children are often picky eaters in general, the complexities of communication and behavior that are associated with autism can make mealtimes more stressful for families. Parents of children with autism tend to experience higher levels of stress than parents of children with any other disability, so food selectivity can contribute to that stress as well.
What do you believe are the biggest misconceptions or misunderstandings surrounding children with autism and challenges related to diet?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that certain foods cause what are known as “stereotypic behaviors” or “classic autism characteristics.” Research findings have refuted this notion. We do know, however, that certain foods affect gut function in children with autism.
There is a misconception that children with autism are just being picky eaters, however some children experience painful physiological responses to certain foods, and it is important to rule out any medical issues that can be contributing to restrictive eating patterns.
Your research and work has focused on disparities that Latino and African American children with autism face in diagnosis and access to service. Do you believe that inequity carries over into the challenges related to diet and the ability to address those challenges?
Absolutely. We know that African American and Latino children with autism face disparities in access to care, more broadly. I would argue that these disparities carry over to access to dieticians, feeding specialists, and behavioral therapists, all of whom can support children with nutritional challenges.
It’s also important to note that our food choices and mealtime traditions are strongly rooted in culture. Therefore, even when minority families have access to professionals such as registered dieticians, it is critical that these professionals engage in culturally responsive practices to meet the needs of underrepresented families.
What advice to you have for parents and professionals who are trying to help a child with autism branch out in their diet and potentially overcome certain food aversions?
Step 1: Rule out medical conditions
Step 2: Work with a team of professionals to develop a plan
Step 3: Set a feeding schedule and routines
Step 4: Try new strategies
Step 5: Be patient and celebrate small and big accomplishments
Filter By Department:Project Team: PI-Hiller Spires Erin Krupa
Sponsor: NSF
Project Total: $449,081
Project Team: PI-Jonee Wilson Temple Walkowiak
Sponsor: NSF
Project Total: $2,296,493
Project Team: PI-Meghan Manfra John K. Lee
Sponsor: Spencer Foundation
Project Total: $49,884
Project Team: PI- Madhusudan Katti (CNR-Forest and Environmental Resources) Deniz Eseryel Kelly Mulvey (CHASS) Darby Orcutt (NCSU Libraries)
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Total: $199,721
Project Team: PI-Jamie Pearson
Sponsor: NC Department of Public Instruction/US Dept. of Education
Project Total: $10,000
Project Team: PI- Kathryn Stevenson (CNR) Sarah Carrier K.C. Busch
Sponsor: NCSU Sea Grant Program
Project Total: $60,000
Project Team: PI-James Minogue
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Total: $733,392
Project Team: PI-John Nietfeld Marc Russo (COD) Sr Personnel: James Minogue
Sponsor: NSF
Project Total: $1,469,395
Project Team: PI-Jill Grifenhagen Ann Harrington Paola Sztajn
Sponsor: NC Department of Public Instruction
Project Total: $18,161,357
Project Team: PI- James Lester (Eng) James Minogue
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Total: $ 1,951,956
Project Team: PI-Margareta M. Thomson Reade Roberts (COS)
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Project Total: $497,530
Project Team: PI- David McConnell (COS) John Nietfeld
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Total: $299,995
Project Team: PI-Jessica Hunt
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Total: $411,877
Project Team: PI- Eric Money (Center for Earth Observation-CNR.) Soonhye Park
Sponsor: Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Project Total: $175,006
Project Team: PI-DeLeon Gray Lauren Bryant Braska Williams Mary Ann Wolf
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Total: $1,011,821
Project Team: PI-Kevin Oliver Ruie Pritchard
Sponsor: Triangle Community Foundation
Project Total: $279,904
Project Team: PI-Paola Sztajn
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Total: $799,837
Project Team: PI-Paola Sztajn
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Project Total: $1,428,582
Project Team: PI-Hiller Spires
Sponsor: Wuzhong Group
Project Total: $3,377,539