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 jillianrobrien@gmail.com

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.

Bag of TreatsBag of TreatsSaltineCheeriosBaby PuffsTwizzlers Cheeto

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

Cues to Eating Cues to Eating

WRAP UP – Q & A WRAP UP – Q & A

Pediatric Development Center207-699-5531