Dispensing liquid reinforcers.

Catania et al. (1972) built a cheap squirt bottle rig for kids with intellectual disability.

The bottle shot a tiny sip of juice or soda straight into the mouth when the child earned it.

No cups, no spills, no over-pouring—just one quick squeeze and the reinforcer was gone.

The paper does not give outcome numbers.

It simply shows the rig works and keeps portions small.

Stokes et al. (1980) used the same squirt bottle, but as a punisher. A light water mist to the face cut severe self-injury in half. Same tool, opposite job—proof that the device is neutral; its function depends on what you put inside and when you spray.

Neef et al. (1986) and Sharp et al. (2010) both shaped mealtime behaviors with edible reinforcers. C et al.’s sip bottle gives you a cleaner way to deliver those calories without stopping the meal for a cookie.

Lancioni et al. (2011) taught adults to dry their own mouths to reduce drooling. Their work reminds us that any oral stimulus—sip or wipe—must be timed and sized with care, exactly what the squirt bottle achieves.

If you run sessions with edible reinforcers, you can swap cups for a sports bottle with a narrow tip. Fill it with diluted juice, give a 1-second squirt after each correct response, and keep the calories low. You stay clean, the learner stays motivated, and you avoid the sugar crash that ruins afternoon data.