Managing Feeding Problems in Persons with Autism using Behavioral Interventions

Abstract

Background: This study examined the effectiveness of the behavioural intervention on feeding problems in persons with autism in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methodology: pretest-posttest, control group quasi-experimental research with a 2x2 factorial matrix. Data was collected with the Feeding Behavioral Analysis Test. Ten (10) persons with non-verbal autism and evidence of poor feeding habits (selectivity by food type) attending a residential school in Ibadan participated in the study. The one-way between-subjects Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine the effectiveness of the behavioural intervention.

Results: Positive reinforcement was effective in reducing feeding problems in children with autism (F (1, 7) = 3.023, p<0.05) compared to the control group (t (8)= -5.24, p <.05). Further analysis revealed a significant main effect of the age of the participants (F(1,7) = 5.343, p <0.05).

Conclusions: there is a need for teachers, counsellors, caregivers, parents, minders and clinical psychologists to adopt positive reinforcement in the management of feeding problems among persons with autism.