Sensory-integrative stimulation in the regulation of dietary selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder

Poremećaj iz spektra autizma je neurorazvojni poremećaj karakteriziran teškoćama u području verbalne i neverbalne komunikacije, socijalnih interakcija te prisutnošću repetitivnih i ograničenih obrazaca ponašanja, interesa i aktivnosti. Čest problem koji se javlja kod osoba s poremećajem iz spektra autizma je selektivnost u prehrani. Pojam selektivnosti u prehrani odnosi se na ograničen i smanjen unos raznovrsne hrane te averziju prema određenim namirnicama ili grupama hrane. Selektivnost u prehrani može biti uzrokovana raznim čimbenicima, a jedan od njih su i problemi u senzornoj obradi. U svakom senzornom modalitetu može postojati neki vid disfunkcije koji ometa dijete s poremećajem iz spektra autizma u normalnom procesu hranjenja. Terapijske tehnike za regulaciju selektivnosti u prehrani su Sekvencijalni oralni senzorni pristup hranjenu (SOS pristup), bihevioralni pristupi te multidisciplinarni pristup. Selektivnost u prehrani posljedično može dovesti do nutritivnih deficita, problema u rastu i razvoju djeteta te doprinijeti stresu roditelja/skrbnika i samog djeteta. U ovom radu ponuđeni su i prijedlozi aktivnosti za regulaciju selektivnosti u prehrani. U Hrvatskoj nema istraživanja koja se bave temom selektivnosti u prehrani kod djece s poremećajem iz spektra autizma i senzorno utemeljenim intervencijama u njenom tretmanu, stoga je u ovom diplomskom radu ponuđen pregled dostupnih istraživanja iz tog područja.Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in the areas of verbal and nonverbal communication, social interactions, and the presence of repetitive and limited patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. A common problem that occurs in a person with autism spectrum disorder is food selectivity. Food selectivity is limited and reduced intake of a variety of foods and aversion to certain foods or food groups. Food selectivity can be caused by a variety of factors, one of which are sensory processing problems. In any sensory modality, there may be some form of dysfunction that interferes with a child's normal feeding process. Therapeutic techniques for regulation of food selectivity are Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Food (SOS approach), behavioral approaches, and multidisciplinary approach. Food selectivity can consequently lead to nutritional deficits, problems in growth and development and contribute to the stress of parent/guardian and child himself. This thesis also offers suggestions for activities that regulate food selectivity. In Croatia, there is no research dealing with the topic of food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder and sensory-based interventions in its treatment, so this thesis offers a review of available research in this area