PARENTAL SATISFACTION ABOUT THE BEHAVIORS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER FOLLOWING DIETARY INTERVENTION PROGRAM

Abstract

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction and communication, and by repetitive behaviors. Emerging research suggests that dietary interventions might positively influence the behavior of children with ASD, potentially via mechanisms related to the gut-brain axis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the level of parental satisfaction with the behavioral improvements in their children with ASD following dietary interventions.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing snowball sampling to recruit 31 parents of children with ASD who had been undergoing dietary interventions for at least six months. Data were collected through structured interviews using the Behavior Summarized Evaluation (BSE) Scale and the Parental Satisfaction Survey (PASS). Ethical approval was secured in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics to assess the effects of dietary interventions.

Results: The study found that dietary interventions were associated with behavioral improvements as reported by parents. Specifically, 16.1% of parents reported using a keto diet, 29.0% used a gluten and sugar-free diet, 25.8% used camel milk, 16.1% used olive oil, and 3.2% used a low oxalate diet. Long-term dietary interventions (more than one year) were reported by 67.7% of the sample. Improvements in behavioral outcomes included better social responsiveness and communicative abilities, with 22.6% of parents observing improvements in verbal communication efforts, 35.5% in non-verbal cues like facial expressions and gestures, and 41.9% in stereotyped vocal and voice utterances.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that dietary interventions may contribute to behavioral improvements in children with ASD, as reported by their parents. These interventions, particularly long-term ones, could be beneficial in managing ASD symptoms.