Evaluation of stimulus intensity fading on reduction of rapid eating in a child with autism

Valentino et al. (2018) worked with one child with autism who ate too fast.

They taped a small vibrating pager to the child’s chest. The buzz told the child to pause.

Two fading plans were tested: make the buzz weaker (intensity fade) or give it less often (frequency fade).

The buzz alone slowed meals to a safe pace.

When the buzz was made weaker step-by-step, the child still ate slowly.

When the buzz was given less often, speed shot back up.

Diemer et al. (2023) kept the same pager but added a 5-minute food test, a simple rule, and brief response blocking. Their package worked for an older student, showing the pager idea can travel and grow.

LeFrancois et al. (1993) faded spoon type and food texture to treat food refusal. Their early work shows fading has helped feeding problems for decades, but Valentino et al. (2018) now tell us which part to fade—intensity, not frequency.

Capio et al. (2013) faded out a toy used during self-control training. Both studies ask the same practical question: what can you drop without losing the good behavior?

If you use a pager, watch, or other prompt to slow rapid eating, fade how strong it is, not how often it shows up. Keep the cue reliable; just make it gentler. This small choice keeps meals safe while you give control back to the learner.