Use of a multicomponent treatment for food refusal

We examined the use of a multicomponent treatment for food refusal exhibite d by a 5-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with mild to moderate mental r etardation. Treatment consisted of access to highly preferred tangible item s, which were removed contingent on problem behavior or not accepting a bit e, and differential reinforcement of alternative behavior. Treatment result ed in an increase in food acceptance to 100% of bite offers and near-zero r ates of problem behavior. In addition, the participant's caregivers were su ccessfully trained to implement the treatment.