Treating Feeding Challenges in Autism

Dr. Jonathan Tarbox is the Co-Founder and Program Director of the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program at the University of Southern California, as well as Director of Research at FirstSteps for Kids. Dr. Tarbox is the past Editor-in-Chief of the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice, a Board Member of the ABA Task Force to Eradicate Social Injustice, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Women in Behavior Analysis (WIBA) conference. He has published five books on applied behavior analysis and autism treatment, is the Series Editor of the Elsevier book series Critical Specialties in Treating Autism and Other Behavioral Challenges, and an author of over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters in scientific texts. His research focuses on behavioral interventions for teaching complex skills to individuals with autism, Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), and applications of applied behavior analysis to issues of diversity and social justice. Taira Lanagan Bermudez, MS, BCBA, is the Director of Feeding Services and Clinical Program Director at FirstSteps for Kids. Ms. Bermudez is devoted to treatment evaluation, research, and the dissemination of behavior analysis, particularly related to behavioral feeding intervention. She regularly presents at autism and ABA conferences and is an author of several scientific papers and book chapters. Currently, she directly implements and supervises feeding intervention, as well as telehealth treatment and training of parents and professionals.

• 1. Introduction2. Medical and Behavioral Origins of Feeding Problems3. Preparing for Meals4. Treatment Components: Positive Reinforcement and Escape Extinction5. Treatment Components: Antecedent Variables6. Common Treatment Packages7. Treatment Management8. Caregiver Training and Follow-Up9. Troubleshooting