To identify the tools used to assess eating behaviors in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and summarize their distribution, citation rates, journal publication, JCR scores, and psychometric properties.

A literature review was conducted to identify studies on eating behavior in individuals with ASD. The search included various descriptors and combinations of keywords in databases such as Medline/PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, SciELO, and Web of Science. The studies were filtered to focus on articles published in the last five years. Thirty-seven relevant studies were identified and analyzed to summarize the tools used, their distribution in the literature, citation rates, and psychometric properties.

Thirty-seven relevant studies were identified. The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders published the most studies (5). The Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) was the most frequently used instrument, appearing in 15 studies, followed by the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) in 8 studies. Both instruments demonstrated solid psychometric properties, with BAMBI showing good internal consistency (α = 0.88) and BPFAS a Cronbach's alpha of 0.82.

Most of the instruments used in studies on eating behavior in individuals with ASD demonstrate satisfactory psychometric properties. BAMBI and BPFAS stand out for their widespread use but are limited to covering only specific age ranges.

'Feeding problems' is a term used to describe problems that may present typically in children. Problems with feeding during infancy can result in significant negative consequences for a child's nutrition, growth, and brain development. This scoping review aims to map current research, provide summary of the available feeding problem assessment tools for children, and review current implications and the gaps between tools, providing information that academics, practitioners, and parents may find useful. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Science Direct, and ProQuest) were searched using terms related to feeding problem assessment tools in children, which included, but were not limited to, "feeding difficult*", "eating problem", "eating difficult*", "tool", "child*", and "pediatric". The following limits were implemented on the search: English language, age limit (<18 years old) and publication period (last 10 years). Data management and analysis carried out manually through discussion with the team. Authors 1 and 2 screened titles and abstracts, then full texts were discussed with the full team to identify articles that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were charted into a matrix table based on these categories: author, year, population, assessment tools, usage and aspects. Thematic analysis was carried out to summarize the characteristics of the studies. There were 47 papers included in the study and analysis, in which 23 assessment tools were found. Pedi-EAT was the most frequent assessment tool used in the studies, with nine papers covering this feeding problem assessment tool. MCH-FS came in second for its chosen tool quantifying children's feeding problems, with a total of seven papers covering this tool, along with BPFAS with seven papers. In this review, 23 assessment tools were validated and tested for reliability. Pedi-EAT, MCH-FS and BPFAS were commonly used instruments. However, it is clear that no single instrument covers comprehensively all aspects of feeding problems in children. In addition, usage of the tools and wide age range indicate that further research is needed to fill the gaps.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental abnormality that impairs social communication. The human gut microbiome (GM) influences a variety of local processes, including dysbiosis and the defense against pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of the present study was to categorize and identify molecular biomarkers for ASD. In the present study, metagenomics whole genome shotgun sequencing was used to identify the gut microbiota in autistic individuals. Fecal samples from four children with ASD and four healthy control siblings, aged 3-10 years old, were examined using bioinformatics analysis. A total of 673,091 genes were cataloged, encompassing 25 phyla and 2 kingdoms based on the taxonomy analysis. The results revealed 257 families, 34 classes, 84 orders, and 1,314 genera among 4,339 species. The top 10 most abundant genes and corresponding functional genes for each group were determined after the abundance profile was screened. The results showed that children with ASD had a higher abundance of certain gut microbiomes than their normal siblings and vice versa. The phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most abundant in ASD. The Thermoanaerobacteria class was also restricted to younger healthy individuals. Moreover, the Lactobacillaceae family was more abundant in children with ASD. Additionally, it was discovered that children with ASD had a higher abundance of the Bacteroides genus and a lower abundance of the Bifidobacterium and Prevotella genera. In conclusion, there were more pathogenic genera and species and higher levels of biomass, diversity and richness in the GM of children with ASD.

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common comorbidity in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Little is known about the impact that GI symptoms have on parental well-being. Parents of 409 children and adolescents with ASD completed the GI Symptoms Inventory, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated Version, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. High levels of stress were demonstrated by parents with 40.1% receiving clinically significant scores. A relationship was found between parental stress and GI symptoms. Parental anxiety and depression were found at high levels but were not more common in parents of individuals with GI symptoms than those without. Lower levels of quality of life were found in parents of individuals with GI symptoms compared to parents of individuals without GI symptoms. Parents of children with GI symptoms were less satisfied with their personal and social relationships with others. Parents of children with GI symptoms had lower scores on a measure of perceived social support than parents of children and adolescents without GI symptoms. GI symptoms are stressful for parents and future research is needed to determine how to alleviate this stress and to improve the quality of life of parents of individuals with ASD.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by social deficits and repetitive behavior. Gastrointestinal (GI) problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel disease, commonly occur in patients with ASD. Previously, GI problems of ASD patients were attributed to intestinal inflammation and vertical mother-to-infant microbiome transmission.

To explore whether GI problems in ASD are related to maternal intestinal inflammation and gut microbiota abnormalities.

An ASD rat model was developed using valproic acid (VPA). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fecal 16S rRNA sequencing were used to test GI changes.

VPA exposure during pregnancy led to pathological maternal intestinal changes, resulting in alterations in maternal gut microbiota. Additionally, the levels of inflammatory factors also increased. Moreover, prenatal exposure to VPA resulted in impaired duodenal motility in the offspring as well as increased levels of inflammatory factors.

GI problems in ASD may be associated with maternal intestinal inflammation and microbiota abnormality. Future research is required to find more evidence on the etiology and treatment of GI problems in ASD.

Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a rare genetic disorder that impacts 1:20,000 people. Challenging behaviour, such as severe injurious behaviour, aggression and frequent unprovoked episodes of laughter are a significant problem among adults with AS that adversely impacts an individual's quality of life. This study, for the first time, aims understand the characteristic of challenging behaviour, its frequency, and the factors associated with it in adults with AS. Data from participants with AS (N = 37; aged 18-46 years) registered with the Global Angelman Registry, were divided into challenging behaviour and non-challenging behaviour groups based on the presence or absence of 50% of the behaviours recorded in the registry. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared and t-test analysis were conducted to assess the impact of variables on challenging behaviour. Multiple regressions were conducted to investigate the predictors of challenging behaviour. 56% of the sample presented with challenging behaviour. Disorders of arousal, self-injury, behaviour dysregulation, repetitive behaviour, and the lack of physical therapy accounted for 59% of the variance of challenging behaviour in this population. It was found that challenging behaviour was very common in this population. A significant association was found between challenging behaviour and both sleep arousal and the lack of physical therapy. Sleep arousal and the lack of physical therapy were the key factors associated with challenging behaviour in this study. Targeted interventions are needed to decrease challenging behaviour and future research should focus on sleep interventions and increased opportunities for physical therapy.

This review explores the complexities of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), primarily focusing on the significant eating challenges faced by children and adolescents with this neurodevelopmental condition. It is common for individuals with ASD to exhibit heightened sensitivity to various sensory aspects of food such as taste, texture, smell, and visual appeal, leading to restricted and less diverse diets. These dietary limitations are believed to contribute to an imbalance in the gut microbiota. This review elaborates on how these eating problems, coupled with the distinctive characteristics of ASD, might be influenced by and, in turn, influence the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This discussion aims to shed light on the multifaceted interactions and potential implications of diet, gut health, and neurological development and function in children and adolescents with ASD.

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or autism are more prone to gastrointestinal (GI) disorders than the general population. These disorders can significantly affect their health, learning, and development due to various factors such as genetics, environment, and behavior. The causes of GI disorders in children with ASD can include gut dysbiosis, immune dysfunction, food sensitivities, digestive enzyme deficiencies, and sensory processing differences. Many studies suggest that numerous children with ASD experience GI problems, and effective management is crucial. Diagnosing autism is typically done through genetic, neurological, functional, and behavioral assessments and observations, while GI tests are not consistently reliable. Some GI tests may increase the risk of developing ASD or exacerbating symptoms. Addressing GI issues in individuals with ASD can improve their overall well-being, leading to better behavior, cognitive function, and educational abilities. Proper management can improve digestion, nutrient absorption, and appetite by relieving physical discomfort and pain. Alleviating GI symptoms can improve sleep patterns, increase energy levels, and contribute to a general sense of well-being, ultimately leading to a better quality of life for the individual and improved family dynamics. The primary goal of GI interventions is to improve nutritional status, reduce symptom severity, promote a balanced mood, and increase patient independence.