A study of British children suffering from peanut allergy has shown that most can overcome their serious intolerance with a six month program of gradual exposure to the legume. (scientificamerican.com)
In my experience, anxious or reactive adult dogs require a more concerted effort at gradual exposure with plenty of positive reinforcement to become comfortable, vs. a 10 - 12 week old puppy who is neurobiologically primed to encounter new things and take them in stride. (drjensdogblog.com)
Dr. Laptook specializes is Cognitive - Behavioral Therapy and Parent Training and uses these approaches in the treatment of Selective Mutism, with interventions focusing on gradual exposures to facilitate verbalization in the context of working together with both the family and the school setting. (selectivemutism.org)