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There is abundant research to support that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit challenging feeding behaviors. Despite increase in empirical evidence supporting the role of behavior analysis in treating severe feeding problems, evaluation of the short- and long-term effects of these treatments for a large group of children with ASD is warranted. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate treatment outcomes of an interdisciplinary feeding program for 46 children with ASD. A retrospective chart analysis indicated these children were treated successfully overall and follow-up data suggest gains were maintained following discharge from the program. (Contains 4 tables.)

This study applied the methodology of an analog experimental (functional) analysis of behavior to the specific interaction between parents and three children with mental retardation exhibiting food refusal and related mealtime problems. Analog results were highly consistent with other forms of functional assessment data, including interviews, questionnaires, and direct observations. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This response to an article by Reiss and Havercamp (1997) that suggested that sensitivity theory offers a basis from which to assess and treat challenging behavior by people with development disabilities, critiques sensitivity theory, outlines the tenets of behavior analysis, and describes development and use of functional assessment. (Author/CR)

Objective. To assess the prevalence of food allergy in children presenting to a multidisciplinary feeding program. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted from 302 patients. We recorded history of food reaction, family history of any atopic disease, radioallergosorbent testing, prematurity, birth weight, breastfeeding history, Z-scores, age, and gastrointestinal mucosal biopsy reports with eosinophilic infiltrate. Three categories of possible food allergy were stratified based on increasing evidence of allergy. Results. Possible food allergy was found for 18% (n = 54), likely food allergy for 6% (n = 18), and very likely food allergy for 16% (n = 47) for a total of 40% classified in a food allergy group. Having been breastfed correlated with likelihood of food allergy but tube-feeding dependence did not. Conclusion. This study revealed a higher proportion of children in a feeding program with food allergy compared to the general population, but larger prospective studies are needed to confirm the association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]