The Role Of Senses In Sensory Integration In The Context Of Child Nutrition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v13i1.9958Keywords:
Sensory-Based Interventions, Sensory Integration Disorders, Child Nutrition, Sensory Integration, and Food SelectivityAbstract
Sensory integration: Integration is crucial in determining children's eating behaviours and nutritional outcome since eating is basically a multimodal experience integrating various sensory inputs e.g., taste, smell, touch, sight and sound. Children with sensory integration disorders (SID) could have an abnormal perception of sensory information with a food related consequence of persistent eating problems. This review is a synthesis of the existing literature on the importance of sensory integration in the nutritional development of children to identify the food selectivity and food neophobia as the major manifestation of sensory dysfunction. This literature review has revealed a significant correlation between hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity in certain sensory modalities, selective eating behaviours and the avoidance of nutritionally needed eating meals as well as an increase in anxiety during meals. Gustatory and olfactory sensitivity - Grossly results in aversion to bitter or aromatic foods and tactual defensiveness - results in the rejection of foods depending on texture. Visual and auditory sensitivities are also limiting the intake of food and have a negative impact on participating in meals. These sensory driven behaviours tend to have a small dietary diversity which is linked to micronutrient deficiencies and increased nutritional vulnerability. The review highlights the effectiveness of sensory based therapies based on the principles of multimodal learning. Methods of prioritising progressive exposure, sensory play and environmental changing rather than forceful feeding methods especially if it is done through parent led and school based initiatives. Incorporating sensory responsive methods in the domestic, educational and community environments promotes a long term improvement to eating behaviour and reduce stresses on carers. The results indicate a need for an appreciation of sensory integration being an important factor in nutrition of children. Integrating sensory informed assessment, intervention and policy initiatives are very important to address selective eating and increase inclusive healthy food habits among children with sensory integration problems
Downloads
References
[1] Ahearn, W. H., Castine, T., Nault, K., & Green, G. (2001). An assessment of food acceptance in children with autism or pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31, 505–511.
[2] Amedoro, A., Berardi, A., Conte, A., Pelosin, E., Valente, D., Maggi, G., Tofani, M., & Galeoto, G. (2020). The effect of aquatic physical therapy on patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 41, 102022.
[3] Aponte, C. A., & Romanczyk, R. G. (2016). Assessment of feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 21, 61–72.
[4] Babinska, K., Celusakova, H., Belica, I., Szapuova, Z., Waczulikova, I., Nemcsicsova, D., et al. (2020). Gastrointestinal symptoms and feeding problems in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 63-72.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176372
[5] Balasco, L., Provenzano, G., & Bozzi, Y. (2019). Sensory abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders: A focus on the tactile domain, from genetic mouse models to the clinic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 1016. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01016
[6] Bandini, L. G., Anderson, S. E., Curtin, C., Cermak, S., Evans, E. W., Scampini, R., Maslin, M., & Must, A. (2010). Food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorders and typically developing children. Journal of Pediatrics, 157, 259–264.
[7] Baraskewich, J., von Ranson, K. M., McCrimmon, A., & McMorris, C. A. (2021). Feeding and eating problems in children and adolescents with autism: A scoping review. Autism, 25, 1505–1519.
[8] Ben-Sasson, A., Gal, E., Fluss, R., Katz-Zetler, N., & Cermak, S. A. (2019). Update of a meta-analysis of sensory symptoms in autism spectrum disorder: A new decade of research. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(12), 4974–4996.
[9] https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04180-0
[10] Bitsika, V., Sharpley, C. F., & Mills, R. (2016). Disagreement between mothers and their sons with an autism spectrum disorder on ratings of sensory features. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 22, 10–19.
[11] Boudjarane, M. A., Grandgeorge, M., Marianowski, R., Misery, L., & Lemonnier, E. (2017). Perception of odors and tastes in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review of assessments. Autism Research, 10(6), 1045–1057. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1760
[12] Byrska, A., Blazejczyk, I., Faruga, A., Potaczek, M., Wilczynski, K. M., & Janas-Kozik, M. (2023). Patterns of food selectivity among children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(17), 5469. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12175469
[13] Castro, K., Perry, I. S., Ferreira, G. P., Marchezan, J., Becker, M., & Riesgo, R. (2019). Validation of the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) questionnaire. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49, 2536–2544.
[14] Cermak, S. A., Curtin, C., & Bandini, L. G. (2010). Food selectivity and sensory sensitivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(2), 238–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.10.032
[15] Chiarotti, F., & Venerosi, A. (2020). Epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders: A review of worldwide prevalence estimates since 2014. Brain Sciences, 10, 274.
[16] Crasta, J. E., Green, O. J., Gavin, W. J., & Davies, P. L. (2024). The relationship between attention, sensory processing, and social responsiveness among adults on the autism spectrum. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54(8), 2972–2986. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06019-1
[17] de Almeida, P. C., Zandonadi, R. P., Nakano, E. Y., Vasconcelos, I. A. L., & Botelho, R. B. A. (2022). Food neophobia in children with autistic spectrum disorder: A nationwide study in Brazil. Children, 9(12), 1907. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121907
[18] Doreswamy, S., Bashir, A., Guarecuco, J. E., Lahori, S., Baig, A., Narra, L. R., et al. (2020). Effects of diet, nutrition, and exercise in children with autism and autism spectrum disorder: A literature review. Cureus, 12(12), 22-42. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.12222
[19] Evans, E. W., Must, A., Anderson, S. E., Curtin, C., Scampini, R., Maslin, M., & Bandini, L. (2012). Dietary patterns and body mass index in children with autism and typically developing children. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 399–405.
[20] Field, D., Garland, M., & Williams, K. (2003). Correlates of specific childhood feeding problems. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 39, 299–304.
[21] Gupta, A., Li, X., DiCicco-Bloom, E., & Bello, N. T. (2018). Altered salt taste response and increased tongue epithelium Scnna1 expression in adult engrailed-2 null mice. Physiology & Behavior, 194, 410–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.06.030
[22] Griffin, Z. A. M., Boulton, K. A., Thapa, R., DeMayo, M. M., Ambarchi, Z., Thomas, E., et al. (2022). Atypical sensory processing features in children with autism and their relationships with maladaptive behaviors and caregiver strain. Autism Research, 15(6), 1120–1129.
[23] https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2700
[24] Herzog, L. E., Pascual, L. M., Scott, S. J., Mathieson, E. R., Katz, D. B., & Jadhav, S. P. (2019). Interaction of taste and place coding in the hippocampus. Journal of Neuroscience, 39(16), 3057–3069.
[25] https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2478-18.2019
[26] Hubbard, K. L., Anderson, S. E., Curtin, C., Must, A., & Bandini, L. G. (2014). A comparison of food refusal related to characteristics of food in children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114, 1981–1987.
[27] Kadwa, R. A., Sahu, J. K., Singhi, P., Malhi, P., & Mittal, B. R. (2019). Prevalence and characteristics of sensory processing abnormalities and its correlation with FDG-PET findings in children with autism. Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 86(11), 1036–1042.
[28] https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-019-03061-9
[29] Khalil, M., Azouz, H. G., Ahmed, S. A., Gad, H. A., & Omar, O. M. (2021). Sensory processing and gastrointestinal manifestations in autism spectrum disorders: No relation to Clostridium difficile. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, 71(1), 153–161.
[30] https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-020-01636-2
[31] Koo, T. K., & Li, M. Y. (2016). A guideline of selecting and reporting intraclass correlation coefficients for reliability research. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 15, 155–163.
[32] Lai, M.-C., Lombardo, M. V., Auyeung, B., Chakrabarti, B., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2015). Sex/gender differences and autism. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 54, 11–24.
[33] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2014.10.003
[34] Leader, G., O’Reilly, M., Gilroy, S. P., Chen, J. L., Ferrari, C., & Mannion, A. (2021). Comorbid feeding and gastrointestinal symptoms, challenging behavior, sensory issues, adaptive functioning and quality of life in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 24, 35–44.
[35] https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2020.1770354
[36]
[37] Fein, D., Barton, M., Eigsti, I.-M., Kelley, E., Naigles, L., Schultz, R. T., Stevens, M., Helt, M., Orinstein, A., Rosenthal, M., et al. (2013). Optimal outcome in individuals with a history of autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54, 195–205.
[38] Habata, K., Cheong, Y., Kamiya, T., Shiotsu, D., Omori, I. M., Okazawa, H., & Kosaka, H. (2021). Relationship between sensory characteristics and cortical thickness/volume in autism spectrum disorders. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 616. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01743-7
[39] Kumari Sahoo, S., & Senapati, A. (2014). Effect of sensory diet through outdoor play on functional behaviour in children with ADHD. Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46(2), 49–54.
[40] Leader, G., Tuohy, E., Chen, J. L., Mannion, A., & Gilroy, S. P. (2020). Feeding problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, challenging behavior and sensory issues in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50, 1401–1410.
[41] https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04357-7
[42] Lukens, C. T., & Linscheid, T. R. (2008). Development and validation of an inventory to assess mealtime behavior problems in children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 342–352.
[43] Malhi, P., Saini, S., Bharti, B., Attri, S., & Sankhyan, N. (2021). Sensory processing dysfunction and mealtime behavior problems in children with autism. Indian Pediatrics, 58(9), 842–845. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34016802
[44] Marshall, J., Ware, R., Ziviani, J., Hill, R. J., & Dodrill, P. (2015). Efficacy of interventions to improve feeding difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Child: Care, Health and Development, 41(2), 278–302.
[45] https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12157
[46] McIntosh, D. N., Miller, L. J., Shyu, V., & Dunn, W. (1999). Overview of the Short Sensory Profile. In W. Dunn (Ed.), Sensory Profile user’s manual (pp. 59–73). Pearson.
[47] Rodrigues, J. V. S., Poli, M. C. F., Petrilli, P. H., Dornelles, R. C. M., Turcio, K. H., & Theodoro, L. H. (2023). Food selectivity and neophobia in children with autism spectrum disorder and neurotypical development: A systematic review. Nutrition Reviews, 81, 1034–1050.
[48] Schoen, S. A., Lane, S. J., Mailloux, Z., May-Benson, T., Parham, L. D., Smith Roley, S., et al. (2019). A systematic review of Ayres sensory integration intervention for children with autism. Autism Research, 12, 6–19. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2046
[49] Sharp, W. G., Berry, R. C., McCracken, C., Nuhu, N. N., Marvel, E., Saulnier, C. A., et al. (2013). Feeding problems and nutrient intake in children with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis and comprehensive review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(9), 2159–2173.
[50] https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1771-5
[51] Shoaib, A., Cepeda, M. S., Murray, G., & Ochs-Ross, R. (2022). Autism: Comorbidities and treatment patterns in the real world—A retrospective cohort study among children, adolescents, and adults newly diagnosed with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52, 4311–4320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05289-x
[52] Taresh, S. M., Ahmad, N. A., Roslan, S., & Ma’rof, A. M. (2019). Knowledge in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among pre-school teachers in Yemen. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Special Education (ICSE 2019) (pp. 56–62). Atlantis Press.
[53] Terwee, C. B., Mokkink, L. B., Knol, D. L., Ostelo, R. W. J. G., Bouter, L. M., & de Vet, H. C. W. (2012). Rating the methodological quality in systematic reviews of studies on measurement properties: A scoring system for the COSMIN checklist. Quality of Life Research, 21, 651–657.
[54] Valenzuela-Zamora, A. F., Ramírez-Valenzuela, D. G., & Ramos-Jiménez, A. (2022). Food selectivity and gastrointestinal disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder. Nutrients, 14, 2660. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132660
[55] Viviers, M., Jongh, M., Dickonson, L., Malan, R., & Pike, T. (2020). Parent-reported feeding and swallowing difficulties of children with autism spectrum disorders (aged 3 to 5 years) compared to typically developing peers: A South African study. African Health Sciences, 20, 524–532.
[56] Wenzell, M. L., Pulver, S. L., McMahon, M. X. H., Rubio, E. K., Gillespie, S., Berry, R. C., et al. (2024). Clinical correlates and prevalence of food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Pediatrics, 269, 114004.
[57] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114004
[58] Yamane, K., Fujii, Y., & Hijikata, N. (2020). Support and development of autistic children with selective eating habits. Brain & Development, 42(2), 121–128.
[59] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.braindev.2019.09.005
[60] Zulkifli, M. N., Kadar, M., Fenech, M., & Hamzaid, N. H. (2022). Interrelation of food selectivity, oral sensory sensitivity, and nutrient intake in children with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 93, 101928.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
