Three adults with severe/profound mental retardation consumed regular portions of food that varied between phases from normal to high caloric levels. The data showed a clear but modest inverse relationship between the caloric value of the diet and the rates of postmeal ruminating. (Author/JDD)

Three experiments assessed the efficacy of various reinforcers to increase correct task responding in a total of 10 autistic children, aged 6-9. Of the reinforcers used (stereotypy, delayed echolalia, perseverative behavior, and food), task performance was highest with opportunities to engage in aberrant behaviors, and lowest with edible…

A procedure enabling 19 adolescents/adults with profound mental retardation to express food and drink preferences was evaluated. Results indicated that active choice making occurred, and caregiver opinion was not predictive of participant preferences. Choices made using the procedure were similar to choices made when less structured opportunities…

Three adolescents with severe mental retardation were trained to request snacks from visible three-item snack sets. During subsequent stimulus control assessment sessions, one subject requested food items when no food items were present, two frequently requested a missing item when the two other items were visible, and all subjects requested…

Co-workers of three job trainees with mental retardation used coincidental training procedures while completing their own jobs. Coincidental training resulted in improved accuracy of salad-making skills, but skill acquisition was very slow; subsequently, a model and a quality-control check were added, resulting in higher performance levels. (JDD)

A peer modeling procedure was shown to induce swallowing in a young child with dysphagia, and to increase food acceptance in a young child who consistently declined food. A peer-mediated procedure, consisting of rotated opportunities to consume food with a peer, increased consumption more than did modeling alone. (Author/JDD)