Pediatric feeding disorders are common in children with autism, and medical issues associated with these disorders could be overlooked due to underlying behavioral, communication and sensory challenges, according to a presentation at the International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference.

Feeding Matters — an advocacy organization for pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) — defines PFD as “impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate, and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction.”