Using Shaping to Increase Foods Consumed by Children with Autism

Abstract

The current study used differential reinforcement and shaping to increase the variety of foods accepted by children with autism who demonstrated significant feeding inflexibility. Participants were introduced to four new food items via a hierarchical exposure, which involved systematically increasing the desired response with the food item. Level of food consumption was evaluated using a combined multiple baseline plus changing criterion design. Following intervention, all participants accepted all foods targeted, expanding upon the number of foods consumed.

Aberrant Early in Life Stimulation of the Stress-Response System Affects Emotional Contagion and Oxytocin Regulation in Adult Male Mice

“…Indeed, when in the presence of subjects from these two groups, levels of spontaneous self-grooming activity were greatly reduced, as it was the case for paw-licking activity. Again, as previously hypothesised in the case of the Observers, the whole picture may be interpreted as a general inhibition released by the presence of both PreCORT and PostCORT abnormal companions [ 91 ].…”

Interventions for Increasing Acceptance of New Foods Among Children and Adults with Developmental Disorders: A Systematic Review

“…participant 2: Modelling + DR made no difference from baseline. Modelling + DR + NRS increased intake to 100% a Two sessions at 8 and 4-weeks (each participant)Hodges et al (2017), USACase series, Baseline, intervention and maintenance phaseN: 2Ages: 7 and 8Gender: M and F (respectively)Diagnoses: ASD; and ASD, epilepsy, ADHD, ID (respectively)ClinicalSingle food reinforcement contingency, DRA.92–113 trials✓✓Intervention gradually increased level of acceptance from total refusal at baseline through touching food to lips, putting food in the mouth and eventually swallowing the food. Number of new foods eaten increased from 0 to 4 for both participants a NHubbard et al (2015), USAQuasi-experimental, pre–post designN: 43Age: 11–22 yearsGender: 51% femaleDiagnoses: All ID or developmental disorderResidential School for Intellectual DisabilitiesEnvironment change to school lunchroom informed by behavioural economics3-months✓Mean gram weight of foods consumed did not change over the studyNKadey et al (2013), USACase series, Multiple baseline and interventionsN: 2Ages: 3 and 9Gender: M and F (respectively)Diagnoses: ASD; ASD and severe-profound ID (respectively)ClinicalNRS + NCR and Physical guidance using Nuk brush to facilitate child opening mouth.…”

“…This is especially important due to the length of some studies without a reported follow-up (e.g. 113 trials; Hodges et al 2017) as this may be deemed excessively long without examining or reporting the lasting effectiveness of the intervention. Possible confounding variables (e.g.…”

Treatment of Food Selectivity in a Child with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Through Parent Teleconsultation

“…Empirically validated treatments for ARFID have not yet been established (Norris et al 2016); however, behavioral interventions have well-documented empirical support and a strong evidence base in the scientific literature for the treatment of pediatric feeding disorders (Sharp et al 2010). For instance, operant procedures, including physical guidance of appropriate feeding responses, differential reinforcement (DRA) contingent upon appropriate eating behaviors, and shaping, have been identified as effective interventions (Hodges et al 2017), and several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of a systematic hierarchical sequence using differential reinforcement contingent upon demonstrating desired behaviors to increase food acceptability (Hodges et al 2017). In the case of feeding interventions, the desired behavior is typically amount/bites/volume consumed, increased variety of foods, and/or appropriate mealtime behavior.…”