Skip to main content
Log in

Improvement of feeding skills in multihandicapped students through paced-prompting interventions

  • Published:
Journal of the multihandicapped person Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This research evaluated the efficacy of paced-prompting interventions in treating three multihandicapped students who consumed food at either excessively rapid or slow rates. The programs required trainers to pace the students' eating using various physical prompting procedures and to withhold prompts when acceptable rates of consumption were displayed. In three separate, singlecase reversal designs, the interventions were demonstrated to be effective in improving each student's feeding skills. Staff responses to a social validity questionnaire were consistently favorable. The results support the use of paced-prompting as a practical, cost-efficient, and easily managed strategy for treating feeding problems related to the rate of consumption.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barton, E. S., Guess, D., Garcia, E., and Baer, D. M. (1970). Improvement of retardate's mealtime behavior by time-out procedures using multiple baseline techniques.J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 3: 77–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cipani, E. (1981). Modifying food spillage behavior in an institutionalized retarded child.J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiat. 12: 261–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Favell, J. E., McGimsey, J. F., and Jones, M. L. (1980). Rapid eating in the retarded: Reduction by nonaversive procedures.Behav. Modified. 4: 481–492.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., and Matson, J. L. (1981). Social validity in mental retardation.Appl. Res. Ment. Retard. 2: 39–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knapczyk, D. R. (1983). Use of teacher-paced instruction in developing and maintaining independent self-feeding.J. Assoc. Severe. Hand. 8: 10–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luiselli, J. K. (in press)Behavioral Medicine and Developmental Disabilities: An Applied Behavior Analytic Perspective, Springer-Verlag, New York.

  • Luiselli, J. K., Evans, T. E., and Boyce, D. A. (1985). Contingency management of food selectivity and oppositional eating in a multihandicapped child.J. Clin. Child Psychol. 14: 153–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luiselli, J. K., and Gleason, D. J. (1987). Combining sensory reinforcement and texture fading procedures in a therapy program for chronic food refusal.J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiat. 18: 149–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Ollendick, T. H., and Adkins, J. (1980). A comprehensive dining program for mentally relarded adults.Behav. Res. Ther. 18: 107–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, G. L., Cone, J. D., and Hanson, C. R. (1975). Training correct utensil use in retarded children: Modeling vs. physical guidance.Am. J. Ment. Def. 80: 114–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, S., Thompson, R. J., and Linscheid, T. R. (1975). Applied behavior analysis in the treatment of childhood feeding problems.Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 17: 333–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, D. H. (1983). Trends and issues in behavioral research on training feeding and dressing skills. In Matson, J. L., and Andrasik, F. (eds.),Treatment Issues and Innovations in Mental Retardation, Plenum, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riordan, M. M., Iwata, B. A., Finney, J. W., Wohl, M. K., and Stanley, A. E. (1984). Behavioral assessment and treatment of chronic food refusal in handicapped children.J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 17: 327–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sisson, L. A., and Dixon, M. J. (1986). A behavioral approach to the training and assessment of feeding skills in multihandicapped children.Appl. Res. Ment. Retard. 7: 149–163.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Luiselli, J.K. Improvement of feeding skills in multihandicapped students through paced-prompting interventions. Journal of the Multihandicapped Person 1, 17–30 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01110553

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01110553

Key words

Navigation