Behavioral and Dietary Management for Adults with Prader–Willi Syndrome in a Residential Setting

Evaluation of a Pilot Healthy Eating and Exercise Program for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities

“…Having an advisory committee to help guide programming efforts and select study measures may enhance the “fit” of the research and assessment tools to the needs of the young adults. It would be advisable to have an advisory committee review other programs, which have been successful in improving weight loss and health of individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g., Bedard et al, 2021 ; Myers et al, 2018 ; Shlesinger et al, 2018 ; Singh et al, 2008 ). Incorporating ideas from other successful programs has the potential to strengthen education, and subsequently behavior change.…”

“…However, due to a lack of accessible education about healthy living, limited opportunities for physical activity, and resistance to changing eating habits, it may be difficult for young adults with ASD and ID to lose weight. Interventions for young adults with developmental disabilities have shown success in improving health, changing eating patterns, and facilitating weight loss (e.g., Bedard et al, 2021 ; Myers et al, 2018 ; Shlesinger et al, 2018 ; Singh et al, 2008 ).…”

Behavioral services for individuals with Prader–Willi Syndrome: An initial examination of experiences, needs, and wants of caregivers

“…Differential reinforcement of other behaviors (DRO), a procedure where an individual receives reinforcement for the absence of problem behavior, has demonstrated positive effects for reducing covert food stealing, weight management (Page, Finney, et al, 1983;Page, Stanley, et al, 1983;Rone, 2010), and rectal digging when combined with limited bathroom time and functional communication training (Stokes & Luiselli, 2009). Bedard et al (2020) described the effect of multiple contingencies, such as DRO, token economies, training alternative behaviors, self-management, and discrimination training on reducing weight, food stealing, tantrum behaviors, skin picking, rectal digging, and problem behavior with progress and treatment gains maintained over a 6-year span.…”

“…Bedard et al. (2020) described the effect of multiple contingencies, such as DRO, token economies, training alternative behaviors, self‐management, and discrimination training on reducing weight, food stealing, tantrum behaviors, skin picking, rectal digging, and problem behavior with progress and treatment gains maintained over a 6‐year span. Together, these findings support the use of behavioral intervention to reduce and eliminate weight gain and problem behaviors associated with PWS while also increasing autonomy for the diagnosed individual.…”

“…Although behavioral interventions can be effective at ameliorating the interfering behaviors that are associated with PWS, anecdotal reports indicate that this is not an intervention type that is commonly used for this population (Bedard, et al., 2021; Kennedy, et al., 2022). Also, due to the rare nature of PWS, many behavior analysts do not have knowledge of the syndrome or they are uninformed on the most effective ways to tailor behavioral interventions to meet the unique needs of individuals with PWS; however, there is currently no existing literature from which information can be drawn about the experiences of individuals with PWS with behavioral services.…”