Research Article Review: ABA Approach for Food Selectivity in Autism

This document is a comprehensive review of a research article comparing the effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and a Modified Sequential Oral Sensory (M-SOS) approach in treating food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder. The review begins with an introduction to the topic, highlighting the prevalence of pediatric feeding disorders and the role of ABA. It then summarizes previous studies and outlines the purpose of the reviewed research, which aimed to understand how ABA can address food selectivity in autistic children. The study involved six participants with severe autism, randomly assigned to either ABA or M-SOS interventions. The review details the design, procedures, and outcomes of the study, noting that the consumption of target foods increased with the ABA approach. The results suggested potential treatment generalization with ABA when preceded by M-SOS. The review concludes with a discussion of the study's implications, emphasizing the suitability of ABA over M-SOS, and suggests the need for further research to better understand food selectivity in autistic children. A graph illustrating changing criterion design is also included, providing a visual representation of the intervention phases. The review is supported by relevant references, including the original research article.

Running head: RESEARCH ARTICLE REVIEW
Research Article Review
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Peterson, K. M., Piazza, C. C., & Volkert, V. M. (2016). A comparison of a modified sequential
oral sensory approach to an applied behavior‐analytic approach in the treatment of food
selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior
Analysis, 49(3), 485-511
1. Introduction
The treatment of what may be termed as pediatric feeding disorder is something that is
treated and treated well enough at that through the implementation of a specific technique,
known as applied behavioral analysis. This is a form of treatment that is seen to garner a lot of
support in various types of empirical research on this particular subject matter. The research
article under review is one that seeks to understand how the applied behavioral analytical
approach can be made use of when understanding how food selectivity can be treated in children
who have autism spectrum disorder.
2. Previous Studies
Previous studies on the subject matter of this particular discussion have not gained much
empirical support and have tended to focus on sample populations of various types, but not a
sample population that is faced with an autism disorder as such, as is the case with the present
study.

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3. Purpose
The purpose of the research article which is being reviewed is to aim at understanding the
way by which applied behavior analysis can be used to see the way by which food selectivity
shapes out in children who are autistic or who have what is known as autism spectrum disorder.
4. Participants and Setting
The participants in this particular study comprised of six children who are seen to suffer
from a severe cause of autism. They were chosen or selected for participation in the study using a
random sampling technique in the place of a probabilistic or convenient sampling technique.
5. Design
The applied behavioral analytical approach was compared with a modified and sequential
sensory approach when undertaking this particular study. 3 children were assigned in a random
manner to the modified and sequential sensory approach while 3 other children were randomly
assigned to the ABA or applied behavioral analytical approach. The multi element design was
made use of for the assessment of treatment generalization.
6. DV and IV
Na
7. Procedure
The consumption of what may be termed as food target is something that was increased
for the children who were studied using the applied behavioral analytical approach but the same

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was not done for the children who were studied using the modified and sequential sensory
approach.
8. Results of the Study
An effect with respect to potential treatment generalization was observed for applied
behavioral analytical approach participants when M-SOS was seen to precede ABA.
9. Discussion
There are not too many limitations associated with this study, given that it was carried out
using an appropriate design or technique and using the right amount of funds that is normally
expected when it comes to undertaking a research project of this stature. The implications of the
research go to show that the ABA is a more appropriate technique for studying food selectivity in
children who suffer from autism compared to the M-SOS approach that was also used as a form
of study on the respondent population. More research needs to be carried out though in the near
future to gain a better and more in-depth understanding of how the matter of food selectivity can
be understood or realized in autistic children. Future research of a greater magnitude needs to be
undertaken to determine whether ABA can truly be regarded as a better approach to
understanding food selectivity in autistic children compared to the M-SOS approach.
10. Graph showcasing Changing Criterion Design
A graph that demonstrates Changing Criterion Design is given below

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This is a graph that shows hypothetical data that has been showcased or reflected in the
form of what may be termed as changing criterion design (Plavnick & Ferreri, 2013). It
showcases the number of problems that have been completed on a single day under an
intervention condition and a baseline, that have involved recess with the recess being contingent
upon the completion of what may be regarded as an ever increasing number of mathematical
problems. The horizontal dashed lines that have been showcased in the graph above are those
that are seen to represent all of the criterion lines that can apply for all the phases of intervention
that have taken place (PLavnick & Ferreri, 2013).This diagram is one of the most apt
illustrations of what may be termed as changing criterion design.

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References
Peterson, K. M., Piazza, C. C., & Volkert, V. M. (2016). A comparison of a modified sequential
oral sensory approach to an applied behavior‐analytic approach in the treatment of food
selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior
Analysis, 49(3), 485-511
Plavnick, J.B. and Ferreri, S.J., 2013. Single-case experimental designs in educational research:
A methodology for causal analyses in teaching and learning. Educational Psychology
Review, 25(4), pp.549-569