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Parental Experiences of Eating Concerns in Autistic Children during COVID-19 Lockdowns: Implications for Future Practice

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Title: Parental Experiences of Eating Concerns in Autistic Children during COVID-19 Lockdowns: Implications for Future Practice
Language: English
Authors: Claire Dhillon-Burrows, Sarah Sodimu, Saskia Keville (ORCID 0000-0003-2401-5226), Amanda Ludlow (ORCID 0000-0003-2843-7290), Bobbie L. Smith (ORCID 0000-0002-8824-3407)
Source: International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. 2025 71(3):397-407.
Availability: Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, Eating Disorders, Children, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Parent Attitudes, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Food, Coping, Foreign Countries, Self Determination, Anxiety
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2023.2243412
ISSN: 2047-3869
2047-3877
Abstract: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, some autistic children exhibited maladaptive eating behaviours, yet the pandemic presented additional challenges for families beyond the general disruption COVID-19. The present study investigated parental perspectives of their autistic child's eating behaviours in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using reflexive thematic analysis, semi-structured interviews of 15 caregivers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder were analysed. Three main themes were constructed: importance of control; exposure to food and family mealtimes; and an increase in snack and 'junk' food. Eating behaviours in autistic children were both positively and negatively affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. Whilst all parents felt under pressure with extra care responsibilities, some described less concern over food intake during the first lockdown because they were able to support their child's mealtimes and have new food experiences. By the end of the lockdowns, many parents reported worsening of eating behaviours, with children more likely to have a restricted diet, and eating more snack foods. Food shortages also triggered additional stress with parents unable to access their child's preferred food. The findings suggested reducing anxiety triggers and increasing food exposure in safe contexts may aid autistic children in trying new varieties of food. However, to minimise long-term eating difficulties during times of uncertainty when food access may be difficult, parents of autistic children would benefit from wider understanding, acceptance and support managing their child's selective eating.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1496827
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Parental Experiences of Eating Concerns in Autistic Children during COVID-19 Lockdowns: Implications for Future Practice
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Claire+Dhillon-Burrows%22">Claire Dhillon-Burrows</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+Sodimu%22">Sarah Sodimu</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Saskia+Keville%22">Saskia Keville</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2401-5226">0000-0003-2401-5226</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amanda+Ludlow%22">Amanda Ludlow</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2843-7290">0000-0003-2843-7290</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bobbie+L%2E+Smith%22">Bobbie L. Smith</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8824-3407">0000-0002-8824-3407</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Developmental+Disabilities%22"><i>International Journal of Developmental Disabilities</i></searchLink>. 2025 71(3):397-407.
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  Data: Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22COVID-19%22">COVID-19</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pandemics%22">Pandemics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Eating+Disorders%22">Eating Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Children%22">Children</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Autism+Spectrum+Disorders%22">Autism Spectrum Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parent+Attitudes%22">Parent Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Symptoms+%28Individual+Disorders%29%22">Symptoms (Individual Disorders)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Food%22">Food</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Coping%22">Coping</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Determination%22">Self Determination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Anxiety%22">Anxiety</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom%22">United Kingdom</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/20473869.2023.2243412
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  Data: 2047-3869<br />2047-3877
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, some autistic children exhibited maladaptive eating behaviours, yet the pandemic presented additional challenges for families beyond the general disruption COVID-19. The present study investigated parental perspectives of their autistic child's eating behaviours in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using reflexive thematic analysis, semi-structured interviews of 15 caregivers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder were analysed. Three main themes were constructed: importance of control; exposure to food and family mealtimes; and an increase in snack and 'junk' food. Eating behaviours in autistic children were both positively and negatively affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. Whilst all parents felt under pressure with extra care responsibilities, some described less concern over food intake during the first lockdown because they were able to support their child's mealtimes and have new food experiences. By the end of the lockdowns, many parents reported worsening of eating behaviours, with children more likely to have a restricted diet, and eating more snack foods. Food shortages also triggered additional stress with parents unable to access their child's preferred food. The findings suggested reducing anxiety triggers and increasing food exposure in safe contexts may aid autistic children in trying new varieties of food. However, to minimise long-term eating difficulties during times of uncertainty when food access may be difficult, parents of autistic children would benefit from wider understanding, acceptance and support managing their child's selective eating.
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  Data: 2026
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Eating Disorders
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