Recommended practices for virtual nutrition education interventions for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A reflection from two pilot interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate unhealthy eating behaviors and dietary patterns compared to their neurotypical counterparts. Given the increased risk of unhealthy weight gain and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, modified nutrition programs in this population are warranted. The authors independently conducted two virtual pilot interventions during COVID-19 that offered feasible and acceptable alternatives to in-person delivery, providing unique opportunities for participant engagement and family involvement. Future virtual nutrition education programs for adolescents with ASD may include visual and verbal aids through Zoom, more parent/family integration, and accommodations for those with varying ASD severity levels.
Competing Interests: Author noteRiley H Shurack is currently affiliated with Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA. Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.