The Engaged Eaters Program Intervention study
Researchers at La Trobe University and the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre are seeking volunteer research participants to be involved in a study about a weekly intervention for autistic children with feeding challenges. We are piloting an intervention that would attempt to address your child’s specific feeding challenges.
You May Qualify if You:
Are a parent of a child, ages 3-7 years, with a current autism diagnosis and feeding problems
You must live in the same household with the child at least 50% of the time, speak English, and
live in Victoria.
Feeding problems can be family reported and can include picky eating, responses to the sensory properties of foods that make it difficult to eat a wide variety of foods, refusing to eat certain foods, stressful mealtimes for both you and your child, refusing to try new foods, or any interruption in a child’s ability to participate in meals.
Participation
If you want to take part in this study, you and your child will be asked to participate in the following research activities. The intervention will occur over ~ 6-month time depending on child progress and family goals.
Intake assessment to assess the child’s skills and develop intervention targets
2 In-home assessments and observations of play and mealtime at the beginning and end of the intervention.
3 interviews over zoom or phone focused on your child’s feeding challenges, behaviors, and progress in the intervention protocol that will occur in the beginning, half-way point, and completion of the intervention.
3-day record of what your child eats
Attendance ~8 caregiver training sessions on zoom each lasting approximately 1 hour. Sessions may be offered in group or individual formats depending on scheduling.
Participate in 12-24 weekly telehealth intervention session for you and your child each lasting ~1 hour on zoom.
Commit to implementing intervention strategies in the home environment during meal and snack times during caregiver-mediated intervention to target feeding goals
2-3 family mealtimes will be observed and videotaped. All family members who will be part of the mealtime or eating experience will need to provide consent. Families can decline to be videotaped.
Fill out standardized assessments in paper format or in an interview format (~90 minutes) typically at the beginning, and completion of the intervention
If tolerated, your child’s current height and weight will be collected.
If tolerated, heart rate variability will be collected with the use of a heart rate monitor during the pre and post in-home assessments. Families can decline heart rate monitoring.
Your decision to participate in research is voluntary. You and your child may decide to stop participation in any part of this study for any reason at any time with no negative consequences for you or your child.
Click below for further information
To register interest or ask further questions, please contact Brittany St John: B.StJohn@latrobe.edu.au
Ethics approval number is HEC23062
