Case report: Multicomponent intervention for severe food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder: a single case study

Food selectivity is common in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The treatment used can be invasive and difficult to implement, necessitating the exploration of multicomponent approaches. This study presents the case of a 9-year-old autistic girl with severe food selectivity, who ate excl...

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Main Authors: Roberta Maggio, Laura Turriziani, Silvana Suraniti, Maria Graziano, Santina Patanè, Anna Maria Randazzo, Claudio Passantino, Marcella Di Cara, Angelo Quartarone, Francesca Cucinotta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1455356/full
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author Roberta Maggio
Laura Turriziani
Silvana Suraniti
Maria Graziano
Santina Patanè
Anna Maria Randazzo
Claudio Passantino
Marcella Di Cara
Angelo Quartarone
Francesca Cucinotta
author_facet Roberta Maggio
Laura Turriziani
Silvana Suraniti
Maria Graziano
Santina Patanè
Anna Maria Randazzo
Claudio Passantino
Marcella Di Cara
Angelo Quartarone
Francesca Cucinotta
author_sort Roberta Maggio
collection DOAJ
description Food selectivity is common in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The treatment used can be invasive and difficult to implement, necessitating the exploration of multicomponent approaches. This study presents the case of a 9-year-old autistic girl with severe food selectivity, who ate exclusively liquid and semi-solid foods. A multicomponent intervention protocol was developed, including stimulus fading and positive reinforcement techniques, to increase acceptance of new textures and foods. Treatment sessions showed significant improvement in acceptance of semi-solid and novel foods, with a reduction in problem behaviors associated with mealtime. This study suggests that a multicomponent intervention can significantly improve food acceptance and reduce mealtime distress, proving to be a practical and effective treatment strategy in an autistic child. The intervention led to an increase in food acceptance and a reduction in mealtime-related distress, potentially improving the child and family’s quality of life.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Psychiatry
spelling doaj-art-ce83d42f5a8443c3ab2d4f4e1822f2d62024-11-11T04:36:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402024-11-011510.3389/fpsyt.2024.14553561455356Case report: Multicomponent intervention for severe food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder: a single case studyRoberta Maggio0Laura Turriziani1Silvana Suraniti2Maria Graziano3Santina Patanè4Anna Maria Randazzo5Claudio Passantino6Marcella Di Cara7Angelo Quartarone8Francesca Cucinotta9Center for Autism "Dopo di noi", Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Messina, ItalyCenter for Autism "Dopo di noi", Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Messina, ItalyPsychoeducational Service for Children with Autism and Intellectual Disability, Società Cooperativa Sociale "I Corrieri dell'Oasi", Troina, ItalyCooperativa dalla Luna, Bari, ItalyDepartment of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry (DSM-UOCNPIA), Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry (DSM-UOCNPIA), Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale Messina, Messina, ItalyCenter for Autism "Dopo di noi", Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Messina, ItalyIstituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, ItalyIstituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, ItalyIstituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, ItalyFood selectivity is common in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The treatment used can be invasive and difficult to implement, necessitating the exploration of multicomponent approaches. This study presents the case of a 9-year-old autistic girl with severe food selectivity, who ate exclusively liquid and semi-solid foods. A multicomponent intervention protocol was developed, including stimulus fading and positive reinforcement techniques, to increase acceptance of new textures and foods. Treatment sessions showed significant improvement in acceptance of semi-solid and novel foods, with a reduction in problem behaviors associated with mealtime. This study suggests that a multicomponent intervention can significantly improve food acceptance and reduce mealtime distress, proving to be a practical and effective treatment strategy in an autistic child. The intervention led to an increase in food acceptance and a reduction in mealtime-related distress, potentially improving the child and family’s quality of life.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1455356/fullapplied behavior analysisfeeding disordersfood selectivityautism spectrum disorderrehabilitationintervention
spellingShingle Roberta Maggio
Laura Turriziani
Silvana Suraniti
Maria Graziano
Santina Patanè
Anna Maria Randazzo
Claudio Passantino
Marcella Di Cara
Angelo Quartarone
Francesca Cucinotta
Case report: Multicomponent intervention for severe food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder: a single case study
Frontiers in Psychiatry
applied behavior analysis
feeding disorders
food selectivity
autism spectrum disorder
rehabilitation
intervention
title Case report: Multicomponent intervention for severe food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder: a single case study
title_full Case report: Multicomponent intervention for severe food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder: a single case study
title_fullStr Case report: Multicomponent intervention for severe food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder: a single case study
title_full_unstemmed Case report: Multicomponent intervention for severe food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder: a single case study
title_short Case report: Multicomponent intervention for severe food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder: a single case study
title_sort case report multicomponent intervention for severe food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder a single case study
topic applied behavior analysis
feeding disorders
food selectivity
autism spectrum disorder
rehabilitation
intervention
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1455356/full
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