title: EAT-UP™ Family-Centered Feeding Intervention to Promote Food Acceptance and Decrease Challenging Behaviors: A Single-Case Experimental Design Replicated Across Three Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a family-centered feeding intervention, Easing Anxiety Together with Understanding and Perseverance (EAT-UP™), for promoting food acceptance of children with autism spectrum disorder at home. A concurrent multiple-baseline design was used with systematic replication across three families. Baseline was followed by an 'Intervention-Coaching' phase and then an 'Intervention-Independent' phase. Using direct observation and pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, data on acceptance of less preferred foods and challenging mealtime behaviors were collected. Procedural fidelity was monitored throughout all study phases. Data were analyzed using visual analysis and measures of effect size. All children demonstrated increases in food acceptance (effect size >0.90) and dietary diversity and decreased challenging behaviors. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, HSSB Room 140, MSC09 5240, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA. jcosbey@salud.unm.edu.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7504-8752
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cosbey
authors.affiliation: Center for Development and Disability, Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.|Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muldoon
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005196:Family Therapy; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Evidence based practices; Food refusal; Mealtime behaviors; Parent implemented intervention