A nursing PhD student at Vanderbilt University is looking for mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to share their experiences they had in feeding their child at the ages of 0-12 months. Feeding difficulties have been identified in older children with autism but few studies have looked at the feeding difficulties children with autism have before the age of 2 years old. Identifying infant feeding difficulties in autism may help with surveillance for earlier diagnosis and to better support mothers who are experiencing difficulties feeding their infant.
What are the goals of the study?
The purpose of this study is to investigate the feeding difficulties of infants who are later diagnosed with autism compared to their neurotypical sibling to identify any feeding characteristics that would warrant increased monitoring for autism in infancy.
What will happen during the visit or online?
One 30-45 minute online interview with a follow-up phone call or email if any additional information or clarification is needed regarding the information obtained in the interview. Participants will receive a $25 gift card for their time.
How will this help families?
This study may help inform better ways primary care providers (PCPs) ask questions at well child visits to identify infants that are experiencing feeding difficulties, improve PCP surveillance for neurodevelopmental delays in infants by assessing feeding, and improve PCP support for mothers experiencing difficulty feeding their infants.