Food Selection and Preferences of Omani Autistic Children

Alterations in resting-state gamma-activity is adults with autism spectrum disorder: A High-Density EEG study

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of symptoms that include deficits in social cognition and difficulties with social interactions. Neural oscillations in the EEG gamma band have been proposed as an important candidate neurobiological marker of higher order cognitive processes and social interactions. We investigated resting-state gamma-activity of patients with ASD (n=23) in order to delineate alterations as compared to typically developing (TD) subjects (n=24). EEG absolute power was examined in the gamma (30-100Hz) frequency band. We found significantly reduced spectral power across the entire gamma range in the ASD group. The decrease was most pronounced over the inferior-frontal and temporo-parietal junction areas. We also found a significant decrease in gamma-activity over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, especially in the left side. Since these brain areas have been associated with social functioning, the reduced gamma-activity in ASD may represent a cortical dysfunction that could underlie a diminished capacity to interpret socially important information, thereby interfering with social functioning. The alterations we found may lend support for an improved diagnosis. Furthermore, they can lead to focused therapies, by targeting the dysfunctional brain activity to improve social cognitive and interaction abilities that are compromised in ASD.

Exploring Collaborative Efforts Toward Promoting Better Eating Habits among Autistic Children in the United Arab Emirates

According to the principle of duty of care, adults in the lives of children with disabilities such as autistic children are expected to promote their development. The Nutbeam's health literacy model was adopted to explore the efforts of special education teachers and parents toward promoting better eating habits among autistic children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Twenty-one participants, comprising fifteen special education teachers and six parents with autistic children, were examined in this study. The results indicated that some special education teachers' and parents' limited understanding of unhealthy food might impact the development of autistic children. Furthermore, the findings also highlight the lack of collaboration and communication between teachers regarding the nutrition and healthy living of autistic children. The findings have practical consequences, such as urging UAE health policymakers to provide professional development for special education instructors and parents of autistic children.

Parents' perceptions of the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on the eating behaviors and routines of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)

Background

Restricted interests and repetitive behavior are characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The likelihood that persons with ASD will respond adversely to unfamiliar situations is great. The novel coronavirus outbreak has resulted in disruptions to all aspects of routine and behavior. Hence, this study proposed to investigate the impact of the outbreak on the eating behavior and routines of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia through the perceptions of their parents.

Method

A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was utilized to obtain data from 150 parents of children with ASD aged ≤18 years in Saudi Arabia. The data collected included demographic data of the parents, the ASD status of the family, impact of COVID-19 to the family, eating behavior of the children with ASD, and daily routines of the children with ASD. Moreover, parents were able to provide comments regarding their children's eating behavior or daily routines.

Results

The study found that changes in the eating behavior of children with ASD were found to differ significantly (p<0.05) based on the number of children with ASD, the age of the children with ASD, the gender of the children with ASD, and the severity of their ASD symptoms. Moreover, changes to dinner-time routines were found to differ significantly (p<0.05) based on the age of the children with ASD. Also, changes to morning routines were found to differ significantly (p<0.05) based on the age of the children with ASD, their gender, and the severity of their ASD symptoms. Additionally, impact of COVID-19 to the family had a significant impact to eating behavior and daily routines of the children with ASD.

Conclusion

This study found that the eating behavior and daily routines of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia have been considerably worsened and changed. The study recommends the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams and parents to modify or design interventions that help to change their eating behavior and routine can be implemented in the home. It also recommends the provision of virtual helplines to aid parents of children with ASD in such cases.

Nutritional Status and Feeding Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A Systematic Review

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children is associated with increased risks of overweight/obesity and underweight, altered nutrient profile, and abnormal feeding behaviors. This systematic review aimed to elucidate the literature on the nutritional status of children with ASD in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, by providing a summary and assessment of the body of evidence. A systematic review of English and Arabic publications up to November 2020 was conducted of five databases in addition to the grey literature, which include a nutrition-related parameter, from both experimental and observational study designs. Children with ASD (ASD-C) between 2 and 19 years in the MENA Region were the target population. For risk of bias, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Quality Criteria Checklist (QCC) was adopted. The number of published articles was grossly limited. Forty-three articles were included, of which only four articles reported a low risk of bias; therefore, the results were interpreted in light of methodological limitations. Both overweight and underweight were common in ASD-C, although not consistently different than typically developing children. Nutrient inadequacies of energy, protein, omega-3, and others; deficiencies in serum iron indicators and calcium, as well as vitamins B12, B9, and D levels; and higher levels of homocysteine and omega-6/omega-3 ratios were reported. Feeding behavior problems were also common in ASD-C. Understanding nutritional requirements and food preferences can guide the planning of the appropriate comprehensive interventions for ASD-C. Various nutritional and behavioral concerns were identified in the included studies; however, they were subject to methodological weaknesses, which limited the generalizability of these results. Future research is warranted that must be directed to finding strong evidence using robust study designs on nutritional status and feeding behaviors of ASD-C, with a particular emphasis on the MENA Region.