Food selectivity in children with autism: exploring the effectiveness of an intervention based on differential reinforcement
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Food selectivity is a common cause of concern in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In fact, food selectivity is twice as common in children with autism than in typically developing children. The present research started with a systematic literature to review existing studies that examine the effectiveness of behaviour analytic interventions targeting an increase in diet variety. Results showed that a variety of behavioural principles and strategies were combined in these interventions, with the two most frequently used being reinforcement and escape extinction. The absence of functional assessment and preference assessments was noted. Three studies were conducted based on the above findings by implementing a rigorous and replicable intervention protocol that included functional assessment and preference assessment and resulted in the increase of variety of diet for participants diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The studies used a changing criterion research design to evaluate food acceptance under individualised differential reinforcement of alternative behaviour (DRA) conditions. Findings are discussed in the context of intervention effectiveness and impact of using functional assessment and preference assessment.
DOI: 10.17034/32634078
Author: Andrea Moldovan-Grunfeld
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7154801693