FOOD REFUSAL IN AN AUTISTIC TYPE CHILD TREATED BY A MULTICOMPONENT FORCED FEEDING PROCEDURE

A multi-component forced feeding procedure involving shaping, negative reinforcement and the use of preferred foods for positive reinforcement was used to teach a five-year-old autistic type boy to accept a wide variety of foods. Following a baseline during which all solid foods were refused, the treatment within a multiple baseline design led to rapid acceptance of a number of foods in school and then at home. In cases where shaping and positive reinforcement alone are not possible because the child refuses to sample new foods, this forced feeding procedure may lead to significant improvement in eating behavior. © 1978.