CHARGE Syndrome and Comorbid Feeding Difficulties: A Summary of Outcomes following Behavior Analytic Treatment.

CHARGE syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by mutation of the CHD7 gene. Children with CHARGE syndrome often experience vision and hearing impairments, delayed growth and development, heart abnormalities, and artesia/stenosis of the chonae. Although not part of the diagnostic criteria, many individuals with CHARGE syndrome experience feeding and gastrointestinal difficulties.

Comparing behavioral treatment of feeding difficulties and tube dependence in children with cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Feeding disorders are multifaceted with behavioral components often contributing to the development and continuation of food refusal. In these cases, behavioral interventions are effective in treating feeding problems, even when medical or oral motor components are also involved. Although behavioral interventions for feeding problems are frequently employed with children with autism, they are less commonly discussed for children with cerebral palsy.

The Prevalence of Food Allergies in Children Referred to a Multidisciplinary Feeding Program.

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.

Treatment outcomes for severe feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorder.

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.

Decreasing expulsions by a child with a feeding disorder: using a brush to present and re-present food.

Previous research has demonstrated that extinction in the form of re-presentation of expelled bites is an effective intervention for treating food expulsion. The current study compared the effectiveness of re-presenting expulsions with a spoon to re-presenting with a Nuk brush for a 4-year-old boy with a feeding disorder. Fewer expulsions were observed when using the brush for re-presentation, and further reductions were observed when the brush was also used for initial presentations.