Further evaluation of noncontingent reinforcement to treat mealtime problem behavior

Luis et al. (2021) worked with a preschooler with autism who hit, screamed, and threw food at every meal. They gave the child a tablet with his favorite game before any problem behavior started. The tablet stayed on the whole time, no strings attached. After a few meals they slowly made the game available for shorter periods while adding praise and small bites of candy for eating.

Team measured how often problem behavior happened and how many bites the child accepted. They wanted to know if noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) alone could calm mealtimes and if they could thin the schedule without losing gains.

Free access to the tablet cut problem behavior to near-zero right away. Food acceptance crept up a little, but not much. When they began to shorten game time, problem behavior stayed low only while they also rewarded bites of food with praise and candy. In the end, the child ate more and tantrums stayed rare, all without any escape extinction.

Lancioni et al. (2009) already showed that NCR plus extinction is a well-established treatment for problem behavior in developmental disabilities. Luis et al. add a real-world twist: you can drop the extinction part at mealtimes if you give continuous access to a powerful reinforcer like a tablet.

Lerner et al. (2012) warned that thinning NCR without extinction can bring behavior back. Luis et al. agree — they also saw the need to add differential reinforcement (praise and candy for bites) once the tablet time shrank. The two studies line up: thinning is safe only if you layer in extra reinforcement.

Berth et al. (2019) tested NCR plus DR for feeding problems too, but they still used escape extinction when kids refused. Luis et al. show you can skip that aversive step if the noncontingent reinforcer is strong enough and you add DR later for acceptance.

If you dread mealtimes with hit-or-miss eaters, try handing over a highly preferred toy or device before problem behavior starts. Keep it free at first, then thin the time while praising and treating each bite. You may avoid escape extinction entirely and still get calm meals and better eating.