A Review of the Literature on the Functional Analysis of Inappropriate Mealtime Behavior.

Hodges et al. (2020) read 14 papers that used functional analysis to find why kids act out at meals. They looked for patterns in how each study set up the test and what the results showed.

The team only included studies that ran a true functional analysis. This means they tested if problem behavior got worse when adults gave attention, escape, or access to food.

Every paper showed the same big idea: functional analysis quickly tells us if a child refuses food to escape the meal, to get attention, or to snag something tastier.

Knowing the reason lets teams pick the right treatment instead of guessing.

Andersen et al. (2022) built on this work. They showed a trial-based version cuts assessment time by 71% and still leads to good treatment choices. The two papers agree: test first, then treat.

Amore et al. (2011) took the next step. They used the function to build a home program with parents and tutors. All three kids ate more and cried less, proving the review’s point that function-based plans work.

Matson et al. (1999) looked at self-injury instead of feeding. They also found that after a functional analysis, teams drop punishment and use reinforcement. The pattern is the same across very different problems.

If you treat feeding problems, run a brief functional analysis before you write the behavior plan. Abby’s review says 14 studies agree it will show you why the child refuses. Pair that with Andersen’s faster trial method and you can finish in one clinic visit. You will walk away with the real reason, not a hunch, and your treatment will match what decades of data say works.