Gregory K. Reed, Danielle N. Dolezal, Linda J. Cooper-Brown, & David P. Wacker (2005). The effects of sleep disruption on the treatment of a feeding disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 38, 243-245.

We evaluated the effects of sleep disruption on the mealtime behavior of a young boy with developmental disabilities. Results showed that bite acceptance was less likely to persist during meals following disrupted sleep, but only when escape extinction was not implemented. Findings are discussed in terms of establishing operations and the effects of sleep disruption during the treatment of feeding problems.

DESCRIPTORS: establishing operations, food refusal, pediatric feeding disorders, sleep disruption