Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by deficits in sociability, behaviour and communication. Children with autism spectrum disorder often face...Show moreAbstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by deficits in sociability, behaviour and communication. Children with autism spectrum disorder often face eating difficulties. Those difficulties might be accompanied by disruptive behaviours. Individuals with autism and their families might therefore be negatively influenced by such eating difficulties. The aim of the present research was to examine the interventions available in the literature in order to treat eating difficulties children with ASD display. Therefore, the following research questions were formulated: What interventions exist for treating eating difficulties in children with ASD? What techniques are effective in treating eating difficulties in children with ASD? Are interventions that include parents more effective in treating eating difficulties in children with ASD compared to those that do not include parents? To answer the research questions, a systematic literature review was conducted. The PICO system was used to establish the search term of the review. The quality of the selected studies was assessed by two independent reviewers, using a combination of methodological quality assessment tools. Regarding the first research question, eleven interventions were available for eating difficulties in children with ASD. The other two research questions failed to be answered. No specific technique was found as effective in treating eating related difficulties, yet the combination of techniques was used among the studies. Reinforcement accompanied by other techniques, constitutes promising results. None of the studies compared interventions which include parents and not include parents. Based on this, it is recommended that further research is needed to be performed, provided with more rigorous research designs in order to test the effectiveness of techniques and parental component in the interventions treating eating difficulties in children with ASD.Show less
