Picky Eaters and Feeding Disorders
A child with a feeding disorder may only eat a few foods, completely avoiding entire food groups, textures or liquids necessary for proper development. Picky eaters may have issues related to certain tastes, textures and even colors of foods. Our team will work with parents to develop a plan of treatment to help increase a child’s food repertoire and provide nutritional options.
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) and occupational therapist may work together during a feeding therapy session to improve an individual’s feeding, swallowing, and/or diet. Some specific utensils or tools that may be utilized during sessions include:
Some specific utensils or tools that may be utilized during sessions include:
- A variety of spoons
- Cut out cups
- Vibrating therapy tools
- Chewable jewelry
- Adaptive drinking tools
- Brave Plate (visual reinforcement for trying different foods/textures/etc.
Your role as a parent / caregiver
Meal time family preferences are considered in treatment. You will develop a list of foods to trial for your child’s therapy sessions. Your therapist will work with you to help set up the home environment for meal time success and help your child to explore new tastes, smells, and textures. Adaptive spoons, plates or cups may be needed to help your child manage meal time efficiently. Our team will problem solve with you to develop a plan that will work for your family.