Continuous Saliva Packing Resulting in Feeding Tube Dependence: In-Home Behaviour-Analytic Treatment

Abstract

Saliva packing can be one of the most severe life-threatening and challenging behaviours to treat. A 9-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability had 100% nasogastric (NG) feeding tube dependence and significant adaptive behaviour regression (in speaking, using the toilet and his hands, school attendance, sleep). He participated in an intensive behaviour-analytic paediatric feeding treatment programme. Saliva packing, as an automatically-maintained undifferentiated behaviour that persisted in all waking contexts despite high engagement in activities, warranted an additional outside of meal approach. He began swallowing, met 100% of his 21 goals, gained weight, and eliminated tube dependence. He reached a variety of 94 across all food groups, drinks, and supplements. Caregivers were trained and reported high social validity, and gains generalised and maintained in 1-month follow-up. This is the first case to our awareness in Australia of an in-home solely behaviour-analytic intervention to eliminate tube dependence, and it was conducted without hunger provocation, weight loss, or limited nutritional variety.