Using simultaneous presentation to increase vegetable consumption in a mildly selective child with autism.

One six-year-old boy with autism ate almost no vegetables.

Researchers put a dab of ketchup, ranch, or syrup on three veggies he usually spit out.

They used a multiple-baseline design across the three foods to see if the add-on helped.

The child ate 100 percent of veggie bites once the condiment was there.

Acceptance stayed high even when the portion grew.

No gagging or refusal happened after the first few bites.

ALee et al. (2022) later got similar gains using only praise and tokens in a school.

That study extends this one: you can start with ketchup, then fade to social rewards.

Siddiqi et al. (2019) found most Indian kids with autism eat almost no vegetables.

Looks like a contradiction, but their survey had no condiments—just plain veggies.

Rubio et al. (2021) review shows finger prompts also boost bites; condiments are simply a tastier prompt.

If a child mildly rejects veggies, smear on a liked sauce first.

You can cut it back later and the food still gets eaten.

It takes seconds, needs no extra staff, and parents love the quick win.