Research Opportunity: Engaged Eaters Program, a feeding intervention for young children with early signs of autism

Asmita Mudholkar, PhD student at La Trobe University, is seeking volunteer research participants to be involved in a study of factors associated with feeding difficulties in young children. While there are no immediate benefits, the study will assist in early identification and overall intervention process for children with feeding difficulties, including developmental disorders and autism.

You may qualify if:

you are aged 18 years or older

you have English language competency

you are a parent/caregiver of a child aged 12-30 months with feeding difficulties and early signs of autism

your child lives in the same household in Australia

you can access a stable internet connection

You are not eligible if your child has a diagnosis of:

cerebral palsy

Down syndrome

other neurodevelopmental or genetic condition that may impact feeding development

Or if your child has:

significant visual or hearing impairment

a NG tube or PEG in place

What counts as ‘feeding difficulties’?

Your child doesn’t need to have a formal diagnosis of feeding difficulty, developmental delay or autism. For the purpose of this study, feeding difficulties are those that occur frequently, e.g., daily or on most days and may include the following : Picky eating or refusing to eat certain foods, meltdowns at mealtimes, refusing to try new foods, stressful mealtimes for both you and your child, e.g., child takes a long time to eat, frequent crying or screaming during mealtimes, gagging in response to certain foods, prefers consistent textured foods, pocketing food i.e. taking a bite and storing food in the mouth without swallowing, getting upset if the different foods touch each other on their plate, only eats certain brands of foods, e.g., home brand yogurt, eating non-food items.

What would happen if I took part in the research study?

If you decide to take part in the research, you will be asked to:

Attend a minimum of 12 (maximum 24 sessions) 30-minute Zoom sessions with a trained Occupational Therapist

Complete questionnaires before and after the sessions. You will have enough time to save your work and complete these questionnaires in your own time. The time committed consists of:

1.  Screening assessment (pre-enrolment): 15 minutes
2.  Baseline assessment (pre intervention assessments and study entry): 1 hour phone interview and up to 2 hours to complete the pre-intervention questionnaire in your own time over a period of 2 weeks including a 30-minute phone call to complete 2 other pre-intervention questionnaire at a time that suits you
3. Intervention phase: 30 minutes /week over the period of six months
4. Post-intervention assessment: 2 hours over the period of two weeks.

Complete online training resources in your own time.  It is optional; if you choose not to complete these online resources, this will not impact your participation in this study.

Your decision to participate is voluntary.

Will I be paid to take part in the research study?

There are no costs associated with participation in this research study, nor will you be paid.

To participate:

Contact PhD student, Asmita Mudholkar on a.mudholkar@latrobe.edu.au for further information.