Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects, among other things, the way an individual relates to his or her environment and their interaction with other people. It also has a significant impact on diet. Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr Lokuge-Hayes. I’d love to share with you some of the tips that Dr Lokuge-Hayes gave me….
“Why did you choose a career in paediatrics?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes: “In medical school we get exposed to a variety of specialties, but I fell in love with working with children. I really like how children are so resilient, and how they are often smiling no matter how sick they are.”
“What is the most common issue that you deal with in your practice?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes: “I work in both a public hospital clinics and private clinics. I see children up to 18 years of age with a range of medical conditions, but the most common would be autism and developmental disabilities. I also see a lot of infants with feeding and crying difficulties.”
“What role does diet play in this condition?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes: “For children with autism, their dietary intake can be very restrictive as they often have difficulty trying new foods. Many children with autism experience severe hypersensitivity. There’s lots of research being undertaken into the impact of diet on autism, but we don’t have any clear answers yet.”
“When do you refer to dietitians?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes: “Having a dietitian involved can really help the family to work with their child to increase his or her variety of foods, thereby improving their nutritional status. I often refer families with a child with autism to see a dietitian.”
“What tips would you provide regarding dietary issues to families of children with autism?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes:
– Try to take a longer term view of success – think in terms of months or years, instead of weeks
– Be patient with the introduction of new foods
– Try to eat as a family
– Focus on social situations and enjoyment of food, not just content and weight gain
Dr Lokuge-Hayes has rooms in Melbourne and Kew. To make an appointment, please get a referral from your GP.
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Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects, among other things, the way an individual relates to his or her environment and their interaction with other people. It also has a significant impact on diet. Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr Lokuge-Hayes. I’d love to share with you some of the tips that Dr Lokuge-Hayes gave me….
“Why did you choose a career in paediatrics?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes: “In medical school we get exposed to a variety of specialties, but I fell in love with working with children. I really like how children are so resilient, and how they are often smiling no matter how sick they are.”
“What is the most common issue that you deal with in your practice?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes: “I work in both a public hospital clinics and private clinics. I see children up to 18 years of age with a range of medical conditions, but the most common would be autism and developmental disabilities. I also see a lot of infants with feeding and crying difficulties.”
“What role does diet play in this condition?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes: “For children with autism, their dietary intake can be very restrictive as they often have difficulty trying new foods. Many children with autism experience severe hypersensitivity. There’s lots of research being undertaken into the impact of diet on autism, but we don’t have any clear answers yet.”
“When do you refer to dietitians?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes: “Having a dietitian involved can really help the family to work with their child to increase his or her variety of foods, thereby improving their nutritional status. I often refer families with a child with autism to see a dietitian.”
“What tips would you provide regarding dietary issues to families of children with autism?”
Dr Lokuge-Hayes:
– Try to take a longer term view of success – think in terms of months or years, instead of weeks
– Be patient with the introduction of new foods
– Try to eat as a family
– Focus on social situations and enjoyment of food, not just content and weight gain
Dr Lokuge-Hayes has rooms in Melbourne and Kew. To make an appointment, please get a referral from your GP.