A Simultaneous Presentation and Fading Procedure Treating Food Selectivity in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Individuals with feeding disorders may be excluded from social interaction at mealtimes. This study contributes a research based and data driven solution to improve the feeding habits of children with autism within a community clinic environment. Two participants were treated using simultaneous presentation with a fading protocol across three different food groups using multiple baselines. Preferred foods were presented on the spoon simultaneously with a small piece of a new target food and the size of the preferred food was gradually decreased until the child was eating only the target food. Results indicate that the protocol was highly effective for one participant who began to eat a wide range of new foods in daily life, including foods that had not been specifically offered in treatment sessions. The second participant was unable to attend appointments consistently and he did not generalise the treatment effects to daily life. However, he became more willing to try new foods in the clinic environment. This study offers conservative yet promising evidence that for some individuals, simultaneous presentation with a fading protocol may be a useful alternative method for treating feeding disorders when compared to inpatient hospital ABA services.