Meal Time Behavior of Children with Autism

To understand the behavior of Autistic children during mealtime a study was conducted in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh. Sixty four Mentally Retarded children with the associated problem of Autism were selected from the different schools specially meant for the Mentally Retarded children. Self-designed pretested Individual Data Sheet (IDS) was administered among the parents and caretakers of the Autistic children. In the present study aggressive behavior, specific food selection or refusal and moving around during mealtime were some of the behaviors observed among the Autistic children. The results indicate that these disruptive behaviors not only affect the food intake but also increases the duration of meal time as well.