Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy may be a useful feeding intervention for children with autism.

This case study was designed to see if a type of ABA therapy (positive behavior support) could help a child with autism learn to accept food. This type of family-centered therapy seemed to result in lasting changes in the child's eating behavior. The therapy also involved a larger support process that improved family life. The six-year-old boy began to accept food (scrambled eggs, hot dogs, etc.) that he had stopped eating before the study started. The authors suggest that studies be done with children of different ages and different types of families. Read more...