Stimulus fading in the treatment of adipsia

Stimulus fading procedures have repeatedly been demonstrated as effective i n shaping a wide variety of new behaviors. Borrowing from this body of rese arch, the behavioral treatment of feeding disorders presents a new area of application for stimulus fading. The purpose of this study is to demonstrat e the efficacy of stimulus fading in the treatment of adipsia. Two children who ate solids, but refused all liquids, were participants in the study. R esults showed that a five step fading procedure starting with a spoon and t hickened liquids, and ending with a cut-out-cup, was successful in establis hing cup drinking skills for both children. Results of the study suggest th at stimulus fading can facilitate feeding skill acquisition. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.