ABSTRACT

This study aimed to examine the effects of a differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL) intervention combining visual prompts and token reinforcement on rapid eating behavior in a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A single-case research design was employed, and the intervention was implemented with one child across two settings: the researcher’s home and the caregiver’s home. The independent variable was a DRL intervention incorporating visual prompts using a 20-second oil timer and token reinforcement, and interresponse time (IRT) was measured as the dependent variable. The results showed that IRT increased during the intervention phases in both the researcher’s and caregiver’s homes, decreased following withdrawal of the intervention, and increased again upon reintroduction of the intervention. The acquired behavior was also sustained during the generalization and maintenance phases. In addition, the percentage of nonoverlapping data (PND) between the baseline and intervention phases was 100% in both settings. These findings indicate that the DRL intervention combining visual prompts and token reinforcement was effective in improving eating behavior in a child with ASD. The need for future research to examine the generalization of these effects across diverse children and food contexts, as well as their long-term maintenance, was discussed.

Keyword :