Mrs Asmita Ashay Mudholkar1,2,3 Professor Alison Lane2
1 Central Queensland Centre for Rural & Remote Health, James Cook University, Emerald, Australia, 2Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia, 3The University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
Introduction:
There is a scarcity of literature regarding the effectiveness of specialist telehealth-delivered feeding programs. Feeding difficulties are common in young autistic children, appear earlier and progress more rapidly than in typically developing children and are associated with significant caregiver burden. Parent-mediated feeding programs delivered via telehealth may be more efficient and address disparities in access to specialised services by families from rural and remote areas. Parent-led programs are less expensive than therapist-led programs and increase skill transfer and maintenance. This case study is one of the very few assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach in young children under the age of three years. Specialist feeding programs delivered via telehealth can empower rural and remote health professionals to support families with children with complex needs.
Objective:
This study assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a parent-mediated in-home feeding program delivered via telehealth for families with young autistic toddlers to achieve their child and family mealtime goals.
Methods:
A 28-month-old autistic toddler with feeding difficulties participated in a case study approach delivered via telehealth using the “Engaged Eaters Program (EEP)”. Multiple outcome measures and feasibility tools were used during pre- and post-intervention. Goal-Attainment Scaling (GAS) T scores were used as a primary intervention outcome measure.
Results:
The family reported high satisfaction and achieved their family mealtime goals focused on managing age-appropriate textures, increasing dietary repertoire and independent self-feeding/drinking.
Conclusion:
Parent-mediated feeding programs carried within the natural environment of the family’s home may have greater ecological validity and be more effective in improving the feeding skills of young autistic children. Early intervention for feeding difficulties is crucial because it may prevent simple feeding problems from becoming pervasive or resistant to intervention. Furthermore, compared with other paediatric therapies, there is a significant shortage of trained feeding therapists in rural and remote areas. Telehealth rehabilitation may provide the necessary pathway to increasing access to high-quality paediatric feeding intervention programs improving overall health outcomes for young children living in rural and remote areas.
Biography:
Asmita is currently the senior academic lead for allied health at CQRRH in Emerald. Asmita is an Occupational Therapist and has practised in Australia and the United States of America. Her clinical experience is comprised of paediatrics, rural generalist and clinical education. Asmita is passionate about paediatric Occupational Therapy and, rural and remote health care. Asmita is highly motivated to provide high-quality student learning experience. Asmita is a Ph.D candidate at La Trobe University, researching feeding difficulties in young children with a high likelihood of autism. She is also an adjunct research fellow at UniSC.
Qualification: MS OTR FHEA