TRATAMENTO DA NEOFOBIA ALIMENTAR EM CRIANÇAS AUTISTAS NA PERSPECTIVA DE PROFISSIONAIS DA SAÚDE: REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that encompasses a widerange of symptoms, such as speech delay, difficulties with social communication, andrepetitive behaviors. In recent years, the number of diagnoses has increased due toexpanded diagnostic criteria and increased awareness of the condition. Among the mostprevalent behaviors in autistic children is food neophobia, which refers to the refusal to trynew foods. This behavior becomes concerning when persistent, as it can cause nutritionaldeficiencies. This research aims to understand the role of healthcare professionals intreating food neophobia in autistic children, investigate the advantages and disadvantagesof treatment, understand the effectiveness of interdisciplinary work, as well as the approachused by healthcare professionals, and identify the most frequently sought-after professionalsin these cases. This research was described by a Systematic Literature Review based on thePrisma Flowchart, with a detailed search of full articles published in Portuguese and Englishbetween 2015 and 2025. The searched databases were: PUBMED, MEDLINE, SciELO,LILACS, and BVS, using the descriptors: food neophobia (food noephobia), interdisciplinarypractice (interdisciplinary practice), autism (autism), and treatment (treatment), coveringany study with participants and intervention. The review identified 191 articles, of which 10were analyzed. The results indicate that the treatment of food neophobia in children withASD requires interdisciplinary work, involving occupational therapists, psychologists, andnutritionists. Studies have shown that isolated interventions are limited, while integratedapproaches promote better results and facilitate treatment, as does the participation ofparents well-informed about the clinical condition. Communication between professionalsalso proved crucial. It is concluded that an interdisciplinary approach is essential foreffective and sustainable treatment.