Validation of the Feeding & Eating in AutiSm Together (FEAST) Assessment for Autistic Feeding Challenges

High rates of feeding challenges among autistic children negatively impact their health, eating patterns, and social eating experiences. There are few validated feeding assessments available for autistic children. 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 purpose of this study was to 1) present the construct validity of the FEAST questionnaire, and 2) establish the convergent validity of the FEAST questionnaire with two validated parent-reported feeding assessments. Data from the US national Survey for Characterization of Feeding Challenges in Autistic Children – US. A factor analysis was completed to establish construct validity using data from 426 participants who completed the FEAST questionnaire. Pearson’s Correlation was used to establish convergent validity among 349 participants with compelte FEAST, Behavior and Mealtime Behavior Index of Children (BAMBIC) and the Screening Tool of Feeding Problems applied to Children (STEP-CHILD). Results validate the FEAST questionnaire as an assessment of feeding challenge severity (FEAST Total Score) and to classify feeding challenges across four unique areas of feeding challenge (Sensory Processing, Behavior, Oral Motor Skills, and Gastrointestinal Health). The FEAST questionnaire also demonstrates adequate convergent validity with two validated feeding assessments with similar constructs. The FEAST questionnaire may provide clinicians, researchers and caregivers with a more comprehensive assessment of feeding and eating challenges for families with autistic children than previous assessments.

IMPACT STATEMENT: The FEAST questionnaire offers a new comprehensive and validated feeding assessment for autistic children. Clinicians will have an opportunity to express their interest in having access to the FEAST and providing feedback on its functionality in clinical practice.

References

Ausderau, K. K., John, B. M. S., 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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102469

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(4), 1401–1410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04357-7