Understanding and managing feeding and eating on the autism spectrum
This one-day course will focus on understanding and managing feeding and eating in individuals on the autism spectrum.
Feeding and eating problems are common in individuals on the autism spectrum. 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.
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.
This course is written and presented by professionals from Birmingham Food Refusal Services who provide clinical and training services for food refusal. The presenters have several decades of combined experience in the clinical and academic fields of childhood feeding disorders and in autism services.
Who should attend?
This course is suitable for parents/carers, school staff and any other professionals working with a child or individual on the autism spectrum with problems with food.
Benefits of attending
• Increased understanding of the causes of feeding and eating issues in autism.
• Increased awareness of the impact of typical and atypical development on the acquisition of the skills for successful feeding.
• Increased knowledge of specific issues facing individuals on the spectrum with food.
• Increased confidence in the application of management and intervention strategies.
• Opportunity to share experiences and strategies with colleagues/other participants.
To book a place, please visit http www.rsvpbook.com/FeedingandEatingMarch2016
For information about our other training, please visit www.autism.org.uk/training