Does your child have an extremely limited diet? Hard to get them to try any new foods?
There are many reasons why a child may refuse certain foods or be a “picky eater”. One of those are due to sensory issues. Another is oral motor issues.
Don’t miss our video interview at the end of this post with Justine Hanson, OTA where she talks more about some of these reasons for picky eating, how OT may help and some ideas for parents to consider at home.
***Important Note – if you have concerns about your child’s food intake and eating habits you should always consult your child’s physician first.
There are serious concerns in terms of swallowing issues that should always be considered and assessed by a physician, and may possibly require a referral to a speech therapist.
There could also be dental issues or medical issues such as painful acid reflex or GI issues contributing to refusal. So always speak to your child’s physician first.
Sensory or Texture Issues!
One of the biggest reasons a child may refuse foods is due to texture. They may not like the way certain textures feel in their mouth.
Some tips to remember when this is the case:
- Desensitize them to different textures through sensory exploration.
- Use imaginative play with the food. It’s important to make it a fun experience.
- Use social stories.
- Use gradual exposure. Start by getting them comfortable just seeing the food on their plate; then touching the food with their fork; then touching the food with their fingers. Progress gradually and try to make a fun game out of it. Celebrate every step of the way!
- Always start with a very small amount of food and model it first!
- Remember, it can take upto 15-20 exposures for a child to be comfortable trying a new food. We need to be consistent with exposing them to different foods.
- Involve them in preparation! Making shopping for the foods, picking them out and preparing the meals can increase exposure and relax a child around different foods.
- Never make the experience a fearful one and never force your child; A negative experience can lead to increased food refusal and increased behaviors
- Mealtime can become triggers for anxiety for some children. In these cases try to create a relaxed environment and have your child do an activity prior to sitting down to eat that helps them relax or regulate. If they are in an anxious state just going into mealtime, you will be much less likely to succeed.
- Try to ignore negative behaviors a child may show at mealtime. Don’t allow whining, crying or other behaviors to escalate the tension or to get them out of having to sit at the table with the family. Instead of focusing on their behaviors, try to ignore the behavior if possible, and focus on talking about the food or on other family conversations or games to distract them from the behavior. You don’t want to reward the behavior with attention or reward it with them getting out of having to sit at the table. That will only increase their behavior in the future.
- A child is less likely to eat if they are not hungry. Try to avoid too many snacks and drinks in between mealtimes.
Oral Motor Issues
Food refusal can also be due to oral motor issues. This can mean that the muscles are not able to manage the food in their mouth. Eating requires a lot of motor control and this can be a challenge for some kids.
In these cases there are tools OT and ST will use to facilitate muscle activation to make it easier for them to manage the food in their mouth. We recommend speaking with your child’s physician about a referral to an occupational and/or speech therapist.
Sensory Challenges??
Does your child have sensory challenges?
Don’t miss “A Parent’s Roadmap to the Sensory System.” Check out this resource and IMMEDIATELY start decreasing your child’s frustrations, help them focus, leave the meltdowns behind, and start working towards calmer and more peaceful family time! Just click the link below to learn more!
Understanding food refusal, tips for parents & understanding how Occupational Therapy may help!
Check out our video interview with Justine Hanson, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Behavioral Technician.