Long-Term Outcomes after Behavior-Analytic Intervention for Pediatric Feeding Disorders

Many children with autism spectrum disorder experience feeding difficulties that can lead to increased health risks (e.g., severe nutrition deficiencies, obesity-related illnesses) if left untreated. Intensive feeding programs that use behavior-analytic interventions have reported positive outcomes for treating challenging behavior associated with pediatric feeding disorders at discharge and up to 1 year post discharge. Whether these children achieve and maintain long-term goals is unknown. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate outcomes of behavior-analytic intervention for pediatric feeding disorders among children with and without autism spectrum disorder in an intensive feeding program post discharge. Caregivers of former patients reported on the positive and negative impact of the program and their child’s growth and diet variety at follow-up. 85