Abstract
Inflexibility is a major characteristic of autism. In the present study we addressed inflexible mealtime behaviors and collected
longitudinal data across 48 foods for 3 children, ages 6.4–7.8 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, for up to 22 weeks.
Participants exhibited severe challenges with adherence to an extremely restricted repertoire of foods. We employed clinical
replication and multiple baseline designs across participants to assess the effects of individualized reinforcement and hierarchical
exposure to increase flexibility. Results showed that following intervention, all participants expanded their food repertoire
and spontaneously requested new foods during follow up/generalization. Implications for clinical practice and directions for
further research are discussed.
longitudinal data across 48 foods for 3 children, ages 6.4–7.8 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, for up to 22 weeks.
Participants exhibited severe challenges with adherence to an extremely restricted repertoire of foods. We employed clinical
replication and multiple baseline designs across participants to assess the effects of individualized reinforcement and hierarchical
exposure to increase flexibility. Results showed that following intervention, all participants expanded their food repertoire
and spontaneously requested new foods during follow up/generalization. Implications for clinical practice and directions for
further research are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1392-9
- Authors
- Robert L. Koegel, Koegel Autism Center, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Amber A. Bharoocha, Koegel Autism Center, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Courtney B. Ribnick, Koegel Autism Center, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Ryan C. Ribnick, Koegel Autism Center, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Mario O. Bucio, Koegel Autism Center, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Rosy M. Fredeen, Koegel Autism Center, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Lynn Kern Koegel, Koegel Autism Center, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257