Picky Eater: Understanding Your Child

• May 27
• Admin

Picky Eater: Understanding & Supporting Your Child

“When a child is highly selective about food, it can often be linked to sensory processing difficulties. Children who are picky eaters may experience hypersensitivity to certain sensory inputs, such as taste (gustatory), smell (olfactory), and texture (tactile). This means that their brain is receiving an overwhelming amount of information from these senses, which can make eating certain foods feel uncomfortable and lead to avoidance behaviors or strong reactions, such as crying, refusal to eat, or even aggression. In these cases, the child’s brain may be responding with a fight-or-flight reaction, making mealtime challenging.”

→ Some children, however, may actively seek proprioceptive input, which is sensory feedback from muscles, ligaments, and joints. These children may prefer harder, more textured foods that require extra chewing. This helps them self-regulate by stimulating areas of the brain involved in calming emotions and energy levels, such as the reticular formation. For these children, eating can serve as a way to soothe themselves.

→  Other children might avoid specific food textures altogether or refuse to mix different types of food. This is often due to heightened tactile sensitivity in the mouth, making certain textures feel overwhelming or unpleasant.

How Can an Occupational Therapist Help?

An occupational therapist (OT) specializes in helping children with sensory processing challenges. They can assess how your child’s sensory system is responding to different food textures and tastes. By using a sensory-based approach, OTs can help reduce sensitivities and support children in expanding their food preferences.

Here’s how an OT can assist your child with picky eating:

► Sensory Integration: OTs work on helping the child gradually adapt to different sensory experiences, reducing hypersensitivity and making food textures less overwhelming.

► Oral Motor Skills: For children who struggle with chewing, swallowing, or coordinating their mouth movements, the OT can develop strategies to improve their oral motor skills, making it easier for them to eat different types of foods.

► Self-Regulation: OTs teach children how to manage their emotional and physiological responses to food, helping them stay calm and open to new experiences during mealtime.

How Can You Support Your Child at Home?

As a parent, your involvement in your child’s journey toward becoming a more adventurous eater is key. A positive, supportive, and structured environment can significantly reduce stress and anxiety around food. Here are some helpful strategies to try at home:

Create a Consistent Mealtime Routine: A predictable daily schedule for meals can help your child feel more secure. Consistency reduces anxiety and gives them a clear sense of what to expect, which can make eating a more relaxed experience.

Introduce New Foods Slowly: Instead of overwhelming your child with a variety of new foods at once, start with small changes. Introduce one new food at a time alongside their preferred foods. This can help ease them into trying something different without triggering a strong negative reaction.

Encourage Exploration: Encourage your child to touch, smell, and play with food, even before trying to eat it. This helps desensitize them to the texture and smell, making it easier for them to accept it later.

Use Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate small successes, such as trying a new food or taking a bite. Positive reinforcement can increase their confidence and motivation to try again next time.

Minimize Mealtime Stress: Try to keep mealtimes calm and free from pressure. Avoid forcing your child to eat or making mealtime a stressful experience. The goal is to create a positive and nurturing environment where they feel comfortable trying new foods.

Posture and Seating: Proper seating can make a significant difference in your child’s ability to focus on the meal. Ensure they are seated comfortably at a table that encourages good posture, which can help improve their engagement with food.

What Happens During Therapy?

a) The first step is an initial assessment by the occupational therapist to identify your child’s specific needs and challenges. The OT will observe how your child responds to different sensory experiences and food textures, as well as assess their overall development and motor skills.

b) Once the assessment is complete, the therapist will develop a personalized therapy plan. Initially, therapy might focus on foundational skills like improving posture or learning to sit at the table for longer periods. The therapist will work with your child to gradually increase their comfort level with mealtimes and help them build skills needed to engage with food.

c) Over time, the OT will introduce techniques to help your child overcome their sensory sensitivities and develop a more varied diet. With consistent support and a structured home routine, your child can begin to enjoy a wider range of foods in a way that feels comfortable and enjoyable for them. If you're concerned about your child’s eating habits, Al Najma Center is here to help. Let’s take the first step together toward happier, more enjoyable mealtimes.

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