Title: Feeding and Eating in AutiSm Together; FEAST, a caregiver-report questionnaire to characterize feeding challenges in autistic children
Legend: The FEAST is a feeding assessment to characterize feeding challenges in autistic children (2-12 yrs). The online questionnaire was completed by 396 caregivers. A confirmatory factor model was completed to validate the four predicted groupings of feeding challenges: sensory processing, behavior, oral motor skills, and gastrointestinal health. Model fit statistics indicated good model fit, overall strong loadings, and expected correlations among predicted underlying feeding challenges.
Citation: Ausderau, K. K., St John, B. M., Al-Heizan, M. O., Dammann, C., Chaudoir, S., & Sideris, J. (2024). Factor analysis of the Feeding and Eating in AutiSm Together assessment. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 118, 102469.
Abstract: Background: Autistic children experience high rates of feeding challenges, negatively affecting their health, eating patterns, and social eating experiences. The Feeding and Eating in AutiSm Together; FEAST, a caregiver-report questionnaire, was developed to characterize feeding challenges in autistic children ages 2 to 12 years. The FEAST, a two-part questionnaire, was developed with the intention of identifying underlying challenges related to feeding behaviors and supporting direct intervention. FEAST Part 1 includes 32-items specifically to address hypothesized primary areas of concern. Items were grouped into four primary areas (sensory processing n =8, behavior n =10, oral motor skills n =8, and gastrointestinal health n =6) related to feeding and mealtime for autistic children as identified through the development process for the assessment. FEAST part 2 includes 52 clinically focused items to further characterize family mealtime, development of feeding skills, and child self-help skills for practitioners. The purpose of this study is to determine the construct validity of the FEAST Part 1 using a large national sample of autistic children. Method: A large national sample (N = 396) of caregivers completed the online survey. An ordinal confirmatory factor model using a robust weighted least squares approach validated the four predicted groupings of feeding challenges (sensory processing; behavior; oral motor skills; and gastrointestinal) with generally strong loadings onto the four distinct factors. Results: Model fit statistics indicated good model fit (Robust Root Mean Square Error of. Approximation=.080, Robust Comparative Fit Index =.909, Robust Tucker-Lewis Index=.901) Findings provide preliminary confirmation of the construct validity of the FEAST Part 1 assessment to characterize feeding difficulties for autistic children ages 2–12. Small to medium correlations between all factors indicate items successfully targeted four unique areas of feeding challenge. For all factors, the largest correlation was with behavior. Conclusion: Assessments developed to address the complex feeding and mealtime challenges for. autistic children are essential to identify and integrate the most appropriate intervention approaches. FEAST offers researchers and clinicians with a comprehensive and psychometrically sound assessment tool to address autistic children’s unique feeding challenges.
Investigator: Karla Ausderau, PhD
About the Lab: The Ausderau Lab’s research focuses on families and children with ASD. She studies daily occupations, specifically eating and mealtimes, to elucidate the impact on the child’s health, family wellness, and overall daily participation. In addition, she studies sensory features in children with ASD, including their development, characterization, and impact on daily participation. With better characterization of feeding and sensory behaviors and understanding their influence on daily participation, Ausderau hopes to be able to develop more effective assessment tools, targeted treatment strategies, and improved outcomes for children and families.