Contingency Management of Food Selectivity and Oppositional Eating in a Mutiply Handicapped Child

Abstract

A contingency management program was utilized to treat problems of food selectivity (consuming a restricted range of foods) and oppositional eating (displaying disruptive and agitated behaviors) in a multiply handicapped child. The program consisted of establishing temporal limits during meals, withholding social reinforcement for problem behaviors, and contingently reinforcing consumption of nonpreferred foods. All assessment and intervention procedures were applied by direct care staff within a residential school setting. Using an ABAB reversal design, the treatment program was demonstrated to produce substantial increases in mealtime consumption when contrasted with no-treatment conditions. A 1-month follow-up assessment revealed a near 100% level of consumption as well as desired weight gain.