Feeding the Picky EaterFeeding the Picky EaterStrategies for All Families
Presented by Jillian O’Brien, MS OTR/LMichelle Segovias, MS, OTR/L
Pediatric Development Center 125 Presumpscot Street
Portland, ME 04103(207) 699-5531
www.pediatricdevelopmentcenter.com [email protected]
FeedingFeedingEating is the most difficult
sensory task that children can do!
20% of typically developing children vs. 60-70% of kids with ASD
“One of the common myths about eating is that it is easy and instinctive. Eating is actually the most complex physical task humans engage in. It is the only physical task that utilizes all the body’s organ systems: the brain and cranial nerves; the heart and vascular system; the respiratory, endocrine, and metabolic systems; all the muscles of the body; and the entire GI tract. Swallowing alone requires the coordination of 26 muscles and six cranial nerves” –Kay Toomey
Myths about Mealtime Myths about Mealtime Eating is the body’s #1 priority Eating is instinctive Eating is EASYEating is a two-step process It is not okay to PLAY with your food If a child is hungry they will eatChildren need only 3 meals Either organic or behavioral problem Certain foods are eaten at specific
times a dayMealtimes are proper social
occasion
Sensory - Changes with Sensory - Changes with every Chewevery ChewSight Sound – consistency is different Touch – texture is differentTaste – molecules are broken Smell – molecules are broken Balance – head shifts every chew Proprioception – pressure is different Interoception – sensation of movement
in esophagus changes, streth on stomach and appetite.
Meltable Solids vs. Hard Meltable Solids vs. Hard Mechanicals Mechanicals
Dissolves Shatters
Towne Crackers Cheerios
Graham Crackers Pretzel Sticks
Thawing pancakes Saltine Crackers
Snap Pea Crisps Hard Cookies
Cheetos Fritos
Hard Munchables: Stick Hard Munchables: Stick Shaped Shaped 1. Move the child’s gag
reflex back2. Allow practice with
lateral movements 3. Jaw strengthening 4. Kinesthetic awareness in
the mouth, make cognitive map of mouth boundaries.
5. Change very little in the mouth, to help prepare for foods that do change
Strategies and Suggestions for Strategies and Suggestions for Working with a Picky EaterWorking with a Picky Eater
Tolerates Interacts with Smells TouchTastes Eats
It’s hard to be neat when you’re learning to eat!
Sequential Oral Sensory Protocol by Kay Toomey, PhD
Strategies to Try at Home! Strategies to Try at Home! 1. Create a Meal/Snack
Schedule
No Grazing
Offer at least one preferred food item at every meal and/or snack
Provide only water between scheduled meals and snacks
Strategies to Try at Home! Strategies to Try at Home!
2. Think Oral Motor SkillsPractice spitting out foods!
Use Straws
Use Mirrors
Avoid surprise foods such as salads and scatter foods (i.e. rice)
Strategies to Try at Home! Strategies to Try at Home! 3. PlayMessCookie Cutters Pretend foods, cook Color picturesUse foods to make a picture,Let children experiment with
foods through stirring, squashing, smelling, or pouring.
Strategies to Try at Home! Strategies to Try at Home!
4. FamilyUse Positive reinforcementDon’t Copy negative reactions to
food Create a food chart Kids can assist with shopping Make mealtime fun! Reinforce ANY interaction with food!
Eats the same food prepared the same way every day or at every meal! Children will eventually get burned out on these foods and they are typically permanently lost out of that child’s food range.
What are they and how to avoid?
Food Jags
Prevention
Offer food ONLY every OTHER DayChange the shape, color, taste, textureJUST noticeable difference Goal is 30 different foods
Small Changes