A comparison of function‐ and nonfunction‐based extinction treatments for inappropriate mealtime behavior

Kirkwood et al. (2021) asked a simple question. Does ignoring problem behavior during meals add anything to escape extinction?

They worked with children who refused food. The team compared two versions of escape extinction. One version ignored crying and spitting. The other gave brief attention to those behaviors. Both versions still required one bite before the child could leave the table.

Both treatments worked equally well. Food acceptance shot up and problem behavior dropped in both plans.

Attention did not matter. The escape rule alone created the change. Ignoring problem behavior was extra work with no extra payoff.

Older single-case studies already pointed to escape extinction as the key piece. Najdowski et al. (2003) and Siu et al. (2011) showed that adding other parts helped only a little.

Scott et al. (2024) pooled 266 cases in a meta-analysis. Their headline says combine escape plus non-escape extinction for the biggest effect. That sounds like a clash, but it is not. The meta used a broad brush. Kirkwood zoomed in on one detail. The big picture still says escape extinction is the engine.

Tereshko et al. (2021) reviewed studies that skipped escape extinction entirely. They found weaker or mixed gains. Together these papers draw a clear line: escape extinction is the must-have ingredient.

You can stop ignoring screaming at dinner. Keep the escape rule: one bite before the break. This move saves staff effort and keeps parents calm. Fewer rules also mean fewer mistakes. Try it in your next meal session and watch acceptance climb without the silent-treatment stress.