Feeding Therapy

Feeding & Swallowing Therapy

As young children begin the transition from puree baby foods to table foods-preferences are quickly developed. Temperatures, colors, and textures may influence whether a child will try and/or like new foods. Many parents consider one or more of their kids to be a so called “picky eater”. However, certain behaviors during meals should raise this question-

Is this a picky eater situation or is this a problem eater situation that is considered an Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder or a Swallowing Disorder?

Signs that this is more than picky eating:

1. Ongoing poor weight gain (rate re: percentiles falling) or weight loss
2. Ongoing choking, gagging or coughing during meals-gagging while trying or at the sight or smell of certain foods
3. Ongoing problems with vomiting
4. More than one incident of nasal reflux
5. History of a traumatic choking incident
6. History of eating and breathing coordination problems, with ongoing respiratory issues
7. Parents reporting child as being “picky” at 2 or more well child checks
8. Inability to transition to baby food purees by 10 months of age
9. Inability to accept any table food solids by 12 months of age
10. Inability to transition from breast/bottle to a cup by 16 months of age
11. Has not weaned off baby foods by 16 months of age
12. Aversion or avoidance of all foods in specific texture or nutrition group
13. Food range of less than 20 foods, especially if foods are being dropped over time with no new foods replacing those lost
14. An infant who cries and/or arches at most meals
15. Family is fighting about food and feeding (ie. Meals are battles), cooking several different meals

(Source: Dr. K.A. Toomey, 2010)

Does my child need Feeding or Swallowing Therapy?

If you are worried about your child being more than a “picky eater” contacting a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who is trained in feeding and swallowing disorders is the first step. The SLP/feeding specialist will be able to determine if your child is going through a typical phase or recommend further evaluation and intervention.