Feeding and eating problems are common in autistic people. Difficulties such as only eating a very few foods, not being able to eat at school, going long periods of time without eating or over eating and Pica (eating non-foods) can be difficult to understand and manage with parents and carers reporting feelings of anxiety, frustration and blame.

This course is written and presented by Dr Elizabeth Shea who has several decades of experience in the clinical and academic fields of childhood feeding disorders and in autism services.

Upcoming sessions

New live online training dates to be confirmed soon.

Live online training for your organisation

Live online training on a scheduled date, £150 + VAT, book online

Course content

Using knowledge from academic and clinical fields of typical feeding development and childhood feeding disorders this one day workshop will examine and explain the common patterns of eating in autism. It will address a range of difference across the spectrum including specific issues relating to females.
Taking a developmental approach and using the new diagnosis of ‘Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder’ (DSM IV, 2013) the first half of the workshop will discuss how eating issues in autism relate to the characteristics of the condition itself.
The second half will concentrate on evidence and practice-based strategies for intervention. The workshop will take an interactive approach with opportunity for experiential based learning and discussion of participant’s own case or family examples.

Outcomes

Gain increased understanding of the causes of feeding and eating issues for autistic people
Increase your awareness of the impact of typical and atypical development on the acquisition of the skills for successful feeding
Develop knowledge of specific issues facing autistic individuals with food
Increase your confidence in the application of management and intervention strategies
Opportunity to share experiences and strategies with colleagues/other participants.

Who should attend?

This course is suitable for anyone who is working with an autistic child who is having difficulties with food. To get the most out of this training course, it is advisable to have a prior understanding of autism. (We offer an introductory course: Understanding autism)

Although the course will focus on children and young people, the information may also be relevant to those working autistic adults as the developmental characteristics that cause the eating patterns in autism can persist into adulthood.