Extreme eating behaviors in young children with autism: Understanding autonomic responses during mealtime

Challenging eating behaviors are common in children with autism and these are associated with serious health issues (e.g., obesity, malnutrition); however, we have yet to understand what factors drive these behaviors.  This study seeks to examine cognitive mechanisms of eating behavior in children with autism. By understanding underlying cognitive mechanisms of eating behavior, we can move toward developing stronger treatment approaches to improve the health and well-being of children with autism and their families.