Biographical counselling and construction of eating behaviour in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Children and adults with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience dietary challenges, most notably in the highly selective eating habits which complicate their lives and those of the people who care for them. The qualitative research conducted here uses a biographical approach to carry out a case study of an adolescent girl with an ASD who demonstrates a high degree of selective eating. Initially, a brief presentation of ASD is made, and the main issues which underlie the act of eating are described. The connection the girl has forged with the world of food is then viewed through an approach that draws on neuroscience to demonstrate the advantages of using mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) when providing nutritional support.