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Using Escape Extinction and Reinforcement to Increase Eating in a Young Child with Autism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2013

Lilly T. D. Bui ,
Dennis W. Moore  and
Angelika Anderson
Lilly T. D. Bui*
Affiliation:
Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Dennis W. Moore
Affiliation:
Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Angelika Anderson
Affiliation:
Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Lilly Bui, Krongold Centre, Faculty of Education, Clayton Campus, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia. Email: ltbui2@student.monash.edu
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Abstract

Feeding problems that can lead to associated nutritionally related medical conditions and often cause stress and difficulties for parents are prevalent in children with autism. It is therefore important to target these problem behaviours through effective interventions. The present study was designed to trial a procedure comprised of escape extinction combined with positive reinforcement with the aim to reduce food refusals and increase eating in a child with autism. It was predicted that the intervention package would significantly reduce food refusals and increase eating and that any increase in food acceptance would be maintained and generalised to other behaviours related to feeding on termination of the intervention. The research design was a multiple baseline across settings. The results confirmed our predictions. It was concluded that the treatment package was effective at increasing food acceptance.

Keywords

autismfeeding difficultiestreatment packageescape extinctionreinforcement
Type
Standard Papers
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , April 2013 , pp. 48 - 55
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013

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