|
| Advances in the Assessment and Treatment of Feeding Problems in Persons with Developmental Disabilities |
| Monday, May 31, 2004 |
| 10:30 AM–11:50 AM |
| Back Bay A |
| Area: DDA/CBM; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Mark O'Reilly (University of Texas at Austin) |
| Discussant: Linda J. Cooper-Brown (University of Iowa) |
| Abstract: . |
| |
| An Analysis of the Effects of Positive and Negative Reinforcement on Food Selectivity |
| ANJALI BARRETTO (Gonzaga University), Jennifer Neyman (Gonzaga University) |
| Abstract: Research in the area of behavioral feeding disorders has shown escape extinction to be a necessary component in the treatment of food refusal (e.g., Cooper et al., 1995). The purpose of this study was to conduct a community-based assessment and treatment of food selectivity. Specifically we examined the influence of positive and negative reinforcement across three textures of food: (a) pureed foods, (b) minced foods, and (c) chunky foods. The participant was a 4-year old boy who was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome. He had previously received all of his nutrition via a g-tube. However, following termination of g-tube feedings the child obtained his nutrition from milk and yogurt only. All assessment and treatment sessions were conducted by the mother in the family?s home across a period of 3 months. Two independent observers achieved 90% agreement on over 33% of the sessions. Results showed that negative reinforcement was an active variable only across chunky foods. Results will be discussed in terms of community-based intervention and treatment of food selectivity. |
| |
| An Analysis of the Role of Effort in the Treatment of Food Refusal Behavior |
| DANIELLE N. DOLEZAL (University of Iowa), David P. Wacker (University of Iowa), Linda J. Cooper-Brown (University of Iowa), Brenda Engebretson (University of Iowa) |
| Abstract: We examined the effectiveness of interspersing target bites (e.g., full bites) with small tastes to decrease food refusals and gagging. The participant was an 18-month-old young girl diagnosed with lack of normal physiologic growth and feeding difficulties. She engaged in food refusal behaviors as well as persistent gagging of foods accepted into her mouth. An oral-motor evaluation suggested that a toddler-sized full spoon of soft, fork-mashed foods were appropriate for target bites. She accepted smooth foods (e.g., yogurt) and fork-mashed foods (e.g., Spaghetti O?s) in her mouth, but would engage in food refusal and gagging behavior when toddler size full spoons were presented. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of following full-spoons with small tastes at a ratio, within a combination reversal and multi-element design determined in our assessment. Data were collected with an event recording system, inter-observer agreement was collected for 37% of the meals, and averaged in 90% or better. The child demonstrated decreased food refusal and gagging behaviors when this ratio of tastes to full was presented. Demand fading, conducted both inpatient and during follow-up, decreased the bite ratio of tastes to full, and resulted in continued treatment success in the home and outpatient settings. |
| |
| Manipulating Food Dimensions During the Treatment of Food Refusal |
| GREGORY K. REED (Marcus Institute), David P. Wacker (University of Iowa), Linda J. Cooper-Brown (University of Iowa), Danielle N. Dolezal (University of Iowa) |
| Abstract: Systematic research identifying specific interventions for individual feeding concerns continues to be an area of need. The present study examined the impact of manipulating contrasting levels of a commonly cited food dimension?food preference (or type)?on the food refusal of a young boy. Specifically, food type was manipulated in a concurrent schedules arrangement, both with and without the presence of escape extinction. The purpose was to assess the relative and interactive effects of escape extinction and contrasting food types. Independent observers achieved (on average) over 95% agreement on 31% of the sessions. Results showed that differential effects occurred across contrasting food types, but only when escape (i.e., negative reinforcement) was unavailable. Implications for treatment and future research will be discussed. |
|
| |