Nov. 28 Autism-Related Workshop Offers Behavioral Approach to Feeding Disorders in Children with Autism
MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology’s School of Psychology offers free monthly workshops of particular interest to parents, educators and professionals who deal with the issues of autism.
The Nov. 28 workshop will be “A Behavioral Approach to Pediatric Feeding Disorders in Children with Autism,” 6-7:30 p.m. in the Scott Center for Autism Treatment Seminar Room. Presenters will be Florida Tech Assistant Professor Alison Betz, Ph.D., BCBA-D; Catherine K. Martinez, M.S., BCBA, a doctoral student in applied behavior analysis (ABA); and Jeanine Tanz, who is working toward her ABA master’s degree.
Alison Betz, Ph.D., BCBA-D; doctoral student Catherine K. Martinez, M.S., BCBA; and Jeanine Tanz, who is working toward her master’s degree.
It is estimated that as many of 90 percent of children with autism have a feeding problem, with approximately 70 percent of these described as selective eaters. Eating is a complex behavior chain that is comprised of multiple responses and requires several skills. For example, to successfully consume a bite of food, an individual must accept the bite of food, chew and swallow. Research demonstrates that procedures based on the principles of behavior and applied behavior analysis are effective for both increasing appropriate mealtime behavior and decreasing inappropriate mealtime behavior in children with autism and other development disabilities with feeding problems.
The different types of feeding problems often seen in children with autism and why they might develop will be discussed in this workshop. Workshop leaders will offer several behavioral strategies shown to be effective interventions for treating a variety of feeding problems across the spectrum of intensity.
The Seminar Room is located on the second floor of the Scott Center for Autism Treatment at the south end of the Florida Tech campus. Parking is available off Panther Place, near University Boulevard. For more information, contact The Scott Center at (321) 674-8106, extension 1, or email the center at thescottcenter@fit.edu.
