A Video-Enhanced Activity Schedule Reduces Food Stuffing in Child with Pervasive Developmental Disability: a Single Subject Design Case Study

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of a video-enhanced activity schedule on the dangerous food stuffing (rapid eating) of a child with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). An iPad Mini and the software application My Pictures Talk were used to deliver the video-enhanced activity schedule intervention. A multiple baseline across meals with an embedded ABAB design was used to evaluate changes in food stuffing behavior. A reduction in food stuffing across breakfast, lunch, and snack was demonstrated with experimental control. Generalization probes with the child’s mother suggested the improvement generalized to meals without the therapist but caution in conclusions regarding generalization is limited by the small number of generalization probes. The child’s mother provided anecdotal social validity data indicating the intervention approach was acceptable, treatment goals were meaningful, and outcomes were positive. This study replicates previous research demonstrating the potential benefit of video-enhanced activity schedules and extends previous research by reducing inappropriate mealtime behavior in a child with PDD-NOS.