Self-Injurious Behavior During Treatment of Pediatric Feeding Disorder: An Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes.

Abstract

Children with pediatric feeding disorder often engage in inappropriate mealtime behavior (e.g., pushing the utensil away) that can interfere with food or liquid consumption. Researchers have found that some children with pediatric feeding disorder may also engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB; e.g., self-biting, self-hitting) during meals. Behavior-analytic interventions are the most empirically supported interventions for children with pediatric feeding disorder; however, less is known about treatment outcomes for children who engage in SIB during meals. In the current study, we compared treatment outcomes for children with pediatric feeding disorder who engaged in SIB during meals with those of children who did not engage in SIB (i.e., SIB Group and Control Group). There were no statistically significant differences in problem behavior (e.g., inappropriate mealtime behavior) between the SIB Group and Control Group, and all target behaviors significantly improved by discharge. Interestingly, there were statistically significant differences in the types of treatments used between groups. Children who engaged in SIB were just as likely to benefit from intensive behavior-analytic feeding therapy as their peers. However, different treatments may be used with individual children. We discuss these results in terms of considerations for treatment for children with pediatric feeding disorder who engage in SIB during meals.