Use of the high-probability instructional sequence and escape extinction in a child with food refusal.

Dawson, J. E., Piazza, C. C., Sevin, B. M., Gulotta, C. S., Lerman, D., & Kelley, M. L. (2003). Use of the high-probability instructional sequence and escape extinction in a child with food refusal. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 105-108.

We used the high-probability (high-p) instructional sequence with and without escape extinction in the treatment of food refusal. Acceptance increased and refusal decreased only with the introduction of escape extinction. These results raise important questions about the high-p sequence in the treatment of food refusal.

DESCRIPTORS: _escape behavior, high-probability sequence, negative reinforcement, pediatric feeding disorders, food refusal