Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, cilt.1, ss.1-9, 2025 (SSCI)
This study aimed to investigate the relationships among sensory processing, oral praxis, feeding problems, and eating behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to their typically developing (TD) peers.
A cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational study design was employed. The sample included 30 children with ASD and 30 age-matched TD children aged 4–7 years. Assessments included the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) for sensory processing, the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) for oral praxis, the Behavioral Pediatric Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) for feeding problems, and the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) for eating behaviors. Analyses used two-tailed Mann–Whitney U and chi-square tests; associations were examined with Spearman’s rho, and results were reported with effect sizes (r, Hedges’ g).
Children with ASD demonstrated significantly greater sensory processing difficulties, lower oral praxis abilities, and more severe feeding and eating behavior problems than their TD peers (p < 0.05). Moderate to strong significant correlations were found between sensory processing and both oral praxis and maladaptive feeding behaviors in children with ASD.
These findings highlight the importance of multidimensional assessment and integrative intervention strategies that address sensory, motor, and behavioral components of feeding challenges in children with ASD.