Clara Costa
Although picky eating is a well-known aspect of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in early childhood, less is known about food selectivity in adolescence and maturity. Food selectivity self-ratings from 65 highfunctioning adolescents/young adults with ASD were compared to those of 59 typically developing controls who were matched on age, IQ, and sex ratio using sections of the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile. Individuals with ASD indicated a preference for known meals (food neophobia) and a dislike for foods with strong textures and tastes. Parent judgments of daily living abilities were poorer among people with ASD and food neophobia than those who did not have food neophobia, indicating a relationship to everyday behaviour.