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| Innovations in Interventions for Pediatric Feeding Disorders: From Research to Practice |
| Monday, May 31, 2004 |
| 3:00 PM–4:20 PM |
| Conference Room 2 |
| Area: CBM/DDA; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Cynthia M. Anderson (West Virginia University) |
| Abstract: Learning Objectives
State how contextual variables might affect mealtime behavior.
Explain how a pre-treatment funtional analysis might affect intervention efficacy
State the relation between pre-meal food exposure and subsequent mealtime behavior |
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| The Effects of Contextual Variables on Interventions for Mealtime Problem Behavior |
| ELLEN J. MCCARTNEY (West Virginia University), Cynthia M. Anderson (West Virginia University), Nicole Vermillion (West Virginia University) |
| Abstract: A growing body of research suggests that contingency-based interventions are effective for increasing mealtime problem behavior and increasing the amount and variety of food accepted. To date, one published study has examined the effects of specific antecedent variables (food type and texture) on mealtime behavior. Research with problem behavior occurring outside of mealtime suggests that problem behavior may often be under the control of antecedent variables. The purpose of the proposed experiment is to evaluate the affect of other antecedent variables on mealtime behavior. In the first study, the effects of several antecedent conditions on mealtime behavior will be assessed. Antecedent conditions that will be investigated include: 1) the presence of a preferred tangible item (e.g., toy), 2) family members present during typical meal consumption, 3) the presence of preferred-food, 4) an idiosyncratic condition in which the child’s caregiver may report the influence a variable they believe influences their child’s meal-time problem behavior (e.g., preferred video tape), and 5) a control condition. That condition which seems to be most effective in the reduction of mealtime problem behaviors will be assessed to evaluate whether including that variable when conducting escape extinction increases the efficacy of the intervention. This will be assessed by including the variable during implementation of the intervention in a rapid-alternating manner. Four children and their caregivers will participate in the study. |
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| Functional Analysis and Treatment of Inappropriate Mealtime Behaviors |
| MELANIE H. BACHMEYER (Marcus Institute), Cathleen C. Piazza (The Kennedy Institute), Gregory K. Reed (Marcus Institute), Meeta R. Patel (Marcus Institute), Stephanie Bethke (Auburn University), Joslyn N. Cynkus (Marcus Institute) |
| Abstract: Prior research has demonstrated that analogue functional analyses may be useful in identifying the environmental events that play a role in feeding disorders. However, systematic research examining the efficacy of function-based feeding treatments continues to be an area of need. Thus, in the present study we conducted functional analyses of inappropriate mealtime behaviors exhibited by children with feeding disorders. Treatments were then matched directly to the maintaining function (or functions) of inappropriate mealtime behavior. Two independent observers achieved over 90% agreement on over 55% of these sessions. Results will be discussed in terms of the utility of analogue functional analysis methodology in the development of treatments for food refusal. Areas for further study will also be discussed. |
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| The Effects of Exposing Children to Foods on Selective Acceptance and Gagging |
| WILLIAM H. AHEARN (New England Center for Children), Kristin E. Grandner (New England Center for Children), June M. Sanchez (New England Center for Children) |
| Abstract: Children with autism are prone to selective acceptance of foods and other problem behaviors during meals, such as gagging and vomiting. The majority of the feeding treatment literature has focused on consequence manipulations and there are few reported behavioral interventions for treating gagging or vomiting. The probability of approaching and/or accepting novel or previously rejected foods has been reported to increase with repeated exposures to food with typically developing children. This presentation will show the effects of exposing three children with autism to foods. One child displayed selective acceptance, another exhibited selective eating and gagging, while a third child ate a variety of food but gagged and vomited frequently in the presence of nonpreferred foods. Diet histories were collected for each child before and after exposure and substantial decreases in gagging occurred for the two children with this problem behavior. Additionally, all three children accepted a more foods after exposure. Interobserver agreement was probed during at least four regular meal times during the diet histories and total agreement for food presentation and consumption always exceeding 95%. Data were also collected during exposure sessions and interobserver agreement was scored on a minimum of 25% of sessions with total agreement exceeding 83%. |
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| From Eating to Self-Feeding: An Analysis of the Variables Impacting the Transition to Self-feeding for Children with Food Refusal |
| PETER GIROLAMI (Kennedy Krieger Institute), Charles S. Gulotta (Kennedy Krieger Institute), James H. Boscoe (Kennedy Krieger Institute) |
| Abstract: Research (Greer et. al, 2002) has demonstrated that the effectiveness (e.g., the increase in acceptance, decrease in mealtime behavior problems) of behavioral treatments can be impacted by the introduction of self-feeding. This study examined the variables (e.g., several variations of response effort, food presentation, the timing of the introduction of self-feeding) associated with the emission of self-feeding behaviors. Implications for behavioral treatments (e.g., non-removal of the spoon) and the importance of performing antecedent manipulations before and in conjunction with treatment procedures are discussed. |
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