Introduction: Around 80% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face eating problems, impacting their development and health, yet structured parent education programs addressing these issues remain limited.
Objectives: This study aimed to develop a parent education program to improve eating problems in children with ASD.
Methods: To develop the parent education program, first, a needs assessment was conducted with 100 parents of children with ASD. Second, a three round delphi survey was conducted with 15 experts (professor, occupational therapist, special education teacher). Finally, a content validity assessment was performed with 8 occupational therapists with at least five years of experience in clinical practice and parent education.
Results: The study developed a parent education program to address eating problems in children with ASD. A needs assessment confirmed the necessity of a practical program for parents. Through a three-round Delphi study, expert input refined the program by integrating autism characteristics, eating problems, and eating interventions while excluding less relevant topics. The draft of the developed program was confirmed to be appropriate as a parent education program through content validity verification. The finalized program consisted of four 45-minute sessions covering autism and eating problems, sensory-based and behavior-based eating interventions, and strategies for modifying mealtime habits and the environment.
Conclusion: It is expected that the parent education program developed in this study to improve eating problems in children with ASD can be utilized as an evidence-based approach and educational resource in clinical practice.