Utensil manipulation during initial treatment of pediatric feeding problems

Children with feeding disorders exhibit a variety of problem behaviors during meals. One method of treating problem mealtime behavior is to implement interventions sequentially after the problem behavior emerges (e.g., Sevin, Gulotta, Sierp, Rosica, & Miller, 2002). Alternatively, interventions could target problem behavior in anticipation of its emergence. In the current study, we implemented nonremoval and re-presentation of bites either on a spoon or on a Nuk for 12 children with feeding problems. The nonremoval and re-presentation treatment improved feeding behavior for 8 of 12 children. Of those 8 children, 5 had lower levels of expulsions, and 4 of the 8 children had higher levels of mouth clean with the Nuk than with the spoon. We describe the subsequent clinical course of treatment and present follow-up data for 7 of the 8 children who responded to the nonremoval and re-presentation treatment with the spoon or Nuk. The data are discussed in terms of potential reasons why the utensil manipulation improved feeding behavior for some children.