Mealtime can be one of the most stressful parts of the day for families raising a child with feeding challenges. Whether your kiddo refuses entire food groups, gags at the sight of certain textures, or seems to survive on only a handful of foods, you may find yourself wondering if this is just a phase, or does my child need feeding therapy?
You are not alone in asking that question, and the answer matters more than you might think. The earlier feeding challenges are identified and addressed, the better the outcome for your child.
Is My Child Just Being Picky, or Is Something Else Going On?
Most children go through phases of being selective about food, and that is completely normal. But sometimes what looks like pickiness on the surface is actually something deeper. Many children who struggle at mealtimes are not being difficult. Their brain may be processing the taste, texture, smell, or appearance of food in a way that feels genuinely overwhelming or uncomfortable.
Some signs that your child may need extra support include eating a very limited number of foods, dropping foods from their diet without replacing them with new ones, avoiding all foods of a certain texture or food group, or having a strong emotional reaction, such as gagging, crying, or shutting down when a new food is introduced or placed on their plate.
Red Flags That Feeding Therapy May Be Needed
If you are unsure whether your child needs support, here are some red flags to watch for. The more of these that apply to your child, the more likely they are to benefit from a feeding evaluation.
Your child may need feeding therapy if they experience ongoing choking, gagging, or coughing during meals; have poor weight gain or are dropping percentiles on the growth chart; struggle to transition to age-appropriate food textures; struggle to chew and swallow food; have a history of a traumatic choking incident that changed their eating; frequently vomit or have reflux; unable to transition from baby food purees to table foods; or if mealtimes consistently feel like a battle in your home.
Who Provides Feeding Therapy?
This is one of the most common questions parents ask, and the answer is that it depends on the root cause of your child’s feeding challenges.
At Hearts and Hands Therapy, our Speech-Language Pathologists SLPs focus on the physical mechanics of eating such as chewing, swallowing, oral motor strength, bottle feeding, cup drinking, and safe swallowing for children at risk of aspiration. Our Occupational Therapists address the sensory and behavioral side of feeding such as sensory food aversions, self-feeding skills, seated posture, attention at the table, and acceptance of a variety of foods. Because feeding is such a complex task, sometimes having both disciplines work together gives your child the most comprehensive and collaborative support possible.
The SOS Approach to Feeding
At Hearts and Hands, many of our therapists are trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding, a research-based, transdisciplinary program with over 30 years of clinical experience helping children learn to eat. The SOS Approach uses a step-by-step, play-based method that helps children gradually become comfortable with new foods. This includes moving from simply tolerating a food being in the room, to interacting with it, to eventually tasting and eating it. It is a gentle, child-led process that builds confidence alongside skills, making mealtimes less stressful for the whole family.
When Should I Reach Out?
If you have answered yes to the red flags listed above, a feeding evaluation is a great next step. The good news is that feeding therapy works and the sooner you start, the sooner mealtimes can feel manageable again.
At Hearts and Hands Therapy, our feeding therapy team is ready to meet your child where they are and build a plan that works for your family. We serve families across our Georgia and Massachusetts clinics, and we would love to be part of your child’s journey toward a healthier, safer, and happier relationship with food.
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