Using ABA To Address Picky Eating In Children With Autism

Many children with autism spectrum disorders develop food selectivity or what is also called “picky eating.” This session will focus on strategies that have been demonstrated to be successful in helping children with autism learn to eat new foods. Participants will also learn what assessments should be completed before starting feeding therapy. Time will be available for questions and answers immediately following the presentation. Many children with autism spectrum disorders develop food selectivity or what is also called “picky eating.” It is not uncommon for children to restrict their diets to one brand of chicken nuggets, to refuse to eat colored foods, or to consume only pureed foods. This session will focus on strategies that have been demonstrated to be successful in helping children with autism learn to eat new foods.

1. First, participants will learn which assessments should be completed prior to beginning behavior therapy. These assessments include a complete medical evaluation to address any possible GI condition or underlying medical condition, food allergy testing, nutritional evaluation, and structural/functional/mechanical evaluation, and sensory processing evaluation.
2. Participants will then learn how to complete the appropriate behavioral assessments including FBA and preference assessments.
3. Participants will then learn how to develop a behavior intervention plan to address picky eating. Participants will learn how to modify various antecedents and consequences to encourage appropriate eating. Participants will also learn how to use behavioral procedures such as shaping, chaining, and prompting.
4. A number of target behaviors will be defined and data collection procedures will be reviewed. Sample data collection sheets will be provided.
5. Finally, participants will see data from intensive and on-going feeding therapy programs.

Power point presentation will be used. Illustrative case examples will be presented. Video clips will be embedded. Participants will recieve extensive handouts including data collection forms.