Evaluating Variations of Feeder Attention in Mitigating the Side Effects of Escape Extinction

Research has shown that removing bites is the primary motivator for children with feeding difficulties to engage in inappropriate mealtime behavior (IMB) and escape extinction (EE) is the most well-established treatment component. Escape extinction may result in temporary but negative side effects (e.g., increases in crying). Attention from the feeder is another common motivator but less is known regarding the impact or efficacy of different applications of feeder attention, including attention extinction, noncontingent attention, or differential reinforcement of alternative behavior with attention. The current study included six participants and is the first to directly compare the efficacy and caregiver acceptability of EE with different schedules of feeder attention in isolation. All treatment packages resulted in reductions in IMB and increased consumption of new foods. Overall, results indicated that different schedules of feeder attention may mitigate negative side effects of EE and that caregivers prefer a treatment that includes feeder attention.