Atypical eating behaviors may be a sign a child should be screened for autism, according to researchers who found that atypical eating behaviors were present in 70 percent of children with autism, which is 15 times more common than in neurotypical children.

Research by Susan Mayes, professor of psychiatry, found that atypical eating behaviors were present in 70% of children with autism, which is 15 times more common than in neurotypical children.

Atypical eating behaviors may include severely limited food preferences, hypersensitivity to food textures or temperatures, and pocketing food without swallowing.

According to Mayes, these behaviors are present in many 1-year-olds with autism and could signal to doctors and parents that a child may have autism.

«If a primary care provider hears about these behaviors from parents, they should consider referring the child for an autism screening,» Mayes said.

Mayes said that the earlier autism is diagnosed, the sooner the child can begin treatment with a behavior analyst. Previous studies have shown applied behavior analysis to be most effective if implemented during the preschool years. Behavior analysts use a number of interventions, including rewards, to make positive changes in the children’s behavior and teach a range of needed skills.

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Materials provided by Penn State. Original written by Zachary Sweger. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.