Feeding the Neurodiverse Child

• In Event: 2266 - Family Section Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 15. Innovative Qualitative Methods in Studying Families

Abstract

Neurodiversity is a term emerging from autistic self-advocates who situate Autism Spectrum Disorder and other “kindred” behavioral diagnoses, such as ADHD, SPD, OCD, as positive “forms of difference” that need support rather than diagnoses that need treatment (Hart 2014). Neurodiversity, as a topic, is gaining attention within Sociology. However, very few studies directly explore the intersections of motherhood and identity with food provisioning and neurodiversity. Methodologically, this study centers around online ethnography and photo elicitation. Using a short survey with an online focus group and semi-structured photo-elicitation based interviews, this work brings together three separate literatures from sociology of food, family, and disability. The study aims to understand the implications that feeding the “neurodiverse” child has on the construction of maternal identity and healthy eating. The current absence of this discussion in our theorizing on food and family is a blind spot in sociology’s conceptualizations of maternal identity. Furthermore, this gap may also limit the generalizability of the existing theories we hold regarding how families navigate the “tradeoffs” involved in “healthy” food provisioning practices, as much of the work dealing with food provisioning and parenting does not make a point of exploring the specific differences between neurotypical and neurodiverse families. Sociological research that captures the lived experience of neurodiverse families has the potential to go beyond expanding our own theorizing. This research also holds the potential to inform and influence larger policies and practices surrounding the accessibility of public food environments for children with autism and other sensory processing disorders. Finally, continued research in this area may also help inform more comprehensive support plans for parents responsible for food provisioning in the home.

Author

• Mirranda Leah Willette, University of Oregon