Using parent- and self-reports to evaluate eating disturbances in young girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Title
Using parent- and self-reports to evaluate eating disturbances in young girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Publication Date
2018-04
Author(s)
Bitsika, Vicki
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2518-6684
Email: vbitsik2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:vbitsik2
Sharpley, Christopher F
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7922-4848
Email: csharpl3@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:csharpl3
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.11.002
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/26733
Abstract
Background: Eating Disturbances (ED) often occur in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but most previous studies have relied on parent-reported data about males with ASD. Few studies have collected data from younger girls with ASD using self-reports and parents’ reports. Aims: To compare self-reports and parents’ reports of ED in a sample of 52 young girls with ASD, a standardised scale for ED was revised for use with younger girls with ASD. Methods: Mothers of 52 girls with ASD aged from 6 to 17 years completed the Swedish Eating Assessment for Autism spectrum disorders (SWEAA) on their daughters; the girls also completed the SWEAA as a self-report. Results: The prevalence of severe ED in the sample was low (about 11%). There were minimal significant differences between mothers’ and daughters’ SWEAA responses across most SWEAA subscales. Deletion of several of the original SWEAA items produced a scale that can be used as a self-report or a carer-report with young girls with ASD. Conclusion: The clinical assessment of ED via self- or parent reports is suggested as a pathway to identify girls with ASD who also exhibit ED so that adequate treatment planning can be developed for them.
Link
Citation
International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, v.65, p. 91-98
ISSN
0736-5748
1873-474X
Start page
91
End page
98

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