Effect of Instructional Program for Improving Parents' Awareness regarding Diet Quality and Gastrointestinal Symptoms among their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a childhood neuro-developmental disorder. Children with ASD and their parents face unique challenges in the children's daily eating routines, food intake patterns and gastrointestinal disturbance which consequently affect children's nutritional states. Aim: the study aimed to assess the effect of an instructional program on parents' awareness regarding diet quality and gastrointestinal symptoms among their children with autism spectrum disorders. Design: This study was a quasi-experimental design. Setting: the study was conducted at Outpatient department of Children's Hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospitals. Subjects: A Purposive sample of 60 parents caring of their children with ASD at the previously mentioned setting. Tools of the study: involved (1) an interview questionnaire sheet for assessing parents' awareness regarding ASD, diet quality and gastrointestinal symptoms (pre/ post format) and – (2) Child assessment sheet included children's measurements and children's gastrointestinal problems. Results of the study revealed a statistical significant improvement of the studied sample regarding modifying their children's diet quality and gastrointestinal symptoms post implementation of the instructional program. Conclusion: Implementation of the instructional program had a positive effect on the improvement of parent's awareness regarding diet quality and gastrointestinal symptoms among their children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Recommendations: based on the results of the study recommended that, parents' education should be conducted on regular basis to discuss and teach them different aspects of care their children with Autism.