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| Using Literature Review and Surveys to Identify Clinical Practice and Areas for Future Research on Feeding Therapy and the High-Probability Instructional Sequence |
| Sunday, May 29, 2022 |
| 6:00 PM–6:50 PM |
| Meeting Level 2; Room 257B |
| Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Ariadna Martinez (University of South Florida) |
| Abstract: This symposium includes two surveys and one literature review. The first paper is a literature review of the published literature on pediatric feeding disorders. Results suggest that most research on the treatment of feeding disorders has been completed in clinics specializing in interventions for feeding related problems. The second paper is a survey of feeding practices and pediatric feeding concerns. This paper focused on the identification of the severity of feeding issues, interdisciplinary collaboration, and training received by BCBAs and BCBA-Ds on feeding therapy. The last paper surveyed BACB certificants and students with coursework in applied behavior analysis to identify common practices related to the design and implementation of the High-Probability Instructional Sequence (HPIS). All three papers will summarize results of their surveys or literature review, discuss implications for clinical practice, and provide suggestions for future research. |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): antecedent manipulation, feeding disorders, high-p |
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| Reporting of Setting and Resources in the Treatment of Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Review and Recommendations |
| EMMA GRAUERHOLZ-FISHER (Salve Regina University), Vivian F Ibanez (University of Florida), Angie Van Arsdale (University of Florida), Timothy R. Vollmer (University of Florida) |
| Abstract: Many children with autism spectrum disorder exhibit persistent feeding difficulties such as consumption of a limited variety of foods (Schreck et al., 2004). Therefore, practitioners working with this population will likely encounter feeding-related concerns in their careers. However, treatment of pediatric feeding disorders is a specialized area of practice (Broadhead et al., 2018) and behavior analysts might not always receive didactic instruction with clinical and research training in this area. Although treatment of pediatric feeding disorders is well described in the behavior-analytic literature (Volkert & Piazza, 20120, these studies might not be representative of the settings in which most practitioners work or include a comprehensive description of the environment that is necessary to provide feeding therapy. Therefore, we conducted a review of the literature on pediatric feeding disorders to evaluate 1) the physical setting; 2) participant characteristics; 3) reported materials and resources; and 4) medical and interdisciplinary involvement. Preliminary data suggest that a majority of the published research in this area is being conducted in specialized feeding clinics which have access to materials and resources that might not be readily available in other community-based settings. We discuss implications of these findings and directions for future research. |
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A Survey of Clinical Pediatric Feeding Practices Among Behavior Analysts |
| RONALD J. CLARK (Florida Institute of Technology), David A. Wilder (Florida Institute of Technology), Aaron D. Lesser (Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) |
| Abstract: Pediatric feeding therapy is in demand within the field of behavior analysis. Research has produced a number of empirically supported practices in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of feeding concerns. In the clinic, behavior analysts are exposed to an assortment of issues relating to, but not limited to, inappropriate mealtime behavior, variety of diet, and the pace of bite consumption. Addressing these concerns has become a focus of the field, while questions surrounding competence, prior feeding training, and considerations regarding client feeding severity have been raised. Additionally, the increasing importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the assessment and treatment of feeding combined with the development of the Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder diagnosis in the DSM-V, has challenged behavior analysts. We surveyed BCBAs and BCBA-Ds on a variety of feeding practices and issues to gain insight into pediatric feeding concerns in the clinic. The purpose of the current study was to learn about (a) the range of feeding severity across clinical clients, (b) the level of multidisciplinary involvement within pediatric feeding treatment, and (c) the various levels of feeding training BCBAs and BCBA-Ds have experienced in pediatric feeding therapy. |
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| Survey Study on Current Practices Designing and Implementing High-Probability Instructional Sequences |
| AMALIX FLORES (University of South Florida ), Catia Cividini-Motta Cividini (University of South Florida) |
| Abstract: This presentation will summarize results of a survey completed with BACB certificants (BCBA-D, BCBA, BCaBA, and RBT) and students with coursework in applied behavior analysis. The survey aimed to gather information about current practices related to designing and implementing the High-Probability Instructional Sequence (HPIS). Respondents were asked to provide information regarding target behaviors, identification of potential reinforcers, selection of instructions for the HPIS sequence, and specific components of the HPIS procedure used (e.g., duration of the inter-request interval, ratio of high-probability to low-probability instructions, consequences delivered contingent on compliance and noncompliance to the high-probability and low-probability instructions). Additionally, data on the respondents’ perception of the efficacy of HPIS were also collected. Out of the 241 individuals who initiated the survey, 168 designed or implemented HPIS in the last two years. Their responses led to the identification of common practices, which will be described and compared to HPIS implementation guidelines described in the recent literature on HPIS. Additionally, areas for future research will be discussed. |
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