Food selectivity is a common and persistent challenge among children with and without developmental disabilities. Despite its prevalence, there remains a significant gap in clinical resources and effective, accessible interventions. There is a particular need for strategies that promote flexible eating through positive reinforcement and can be implemented in real-world settings. To help address this gap, Gover and colleagues (2023) introduced an assessment and intervention process designed for young children with autism, which utilized differential reinforcement of gradual approximations toward consuming novel and nonpreferred foods. A central feature of this approach is its emphasis on autonomy, offering children meaningful choice-making opportunities—including the option to opt in or out of treatment phases—thereby supporting assent and engagement throughout the therapeutic process. In this presentation, I will review the original implementation of this intervention, share extensions to older individuals, and discuss practical considerations for applying the process in schools and home environments. Additionally, I will explore how trauma-informed care strategies can be integrated to enhance the safety and responsiveness of the approach. Implications for practitioners in applied settings and directions for future research will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1. An attendee will be able to describe a shaping process for increasing consumption of novel and nonpreferred foods.
2. An attendee will be able to describe how to incorporate trauma-informed care commitments into their interventions for food selectivity. how to modify treatment procedures when working with individuals without strong language skills and with adolescents.
3. An attendee will be able to describe actions they can take to ensure they are practicing within one's scope of competence when aiming to address food selectivity.

About the Presenter

Holly C. Gover

Dr. Holly Gover is a doctoral-level, licensed, and board-certified behavior analyst with over a decade of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. She earned her Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis from Western New England University under the mentorship of Dr. Greg Hanley, serving as a lead clinician and researcher at the Life Skills Clinic. Dr. Gover’s research and published work focus on practical functional assessment (PFA) and skill-based treatment (SBT), the assessment and treatment of food selectivity, trauma-informed approaches to behavioral care, and assent-based models of learning. She is dedicated to providing effective, compassionate solutions for practitioners and families—particularly in addressing food selectivity—while prioritizing agency and autonomy within the therapeutic process. Dr. Gover currently serves as Lead Consultant and Director of Client Relations at FTF Behavioral Consulting.