Mealtime should be a nourishing experience—both nutritionally and emotionally—for families. However, for parents of picky eaters, the dinner table can become a battleground of frustration, worry, and stress. At FOCUS Therapy, we understand the unique challenges faced by families navigating feeding difficulties, whether stemming from sensory processing differences, oral motor challenges, or developmental concerns. Feeding therapy can help.

Our multidisciplinary team of occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and behavior analysts work together to support children and families through comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to our Fort Myers feeding therapy.

Understanding Feeding Sensitivities

Feeding sensitivities with kids can manifest in various ways:

• Sensory Processing Differences. Heightened sensitivity to textures, temperatures, tastes, or smells. that can make certain foods feel overwhelming or intolerable.
• Oral Motor Challenges. Difficulties with chewing, swallowing, or manipulating food in the mouth.
• Behavioral Components. Anxiety, rigidity, or negative associations with eating situations.
• Medical Factors. Reflux, allergies, or other conditions that can make eating uncomfortable or painful.

Research indicates that approximately 25% of typically developing children and up to 80% of children with developmental differences experience feeding challenges. Understanding the specific nature of your child’s feeding sensitivity is the first step toward effective intervention.

Creating a Supportive Mealtime Environment

1. Establish Consistent Routines

Children who are “picky eaters” often have feeding sensitivities — and they tend to do best with mealtimes when there is some measure of predictability. Consistent mealtime routines are known to reduce anxiety and increase food acceptance in children with feeding difficulties.

Practical strategies:

• Serve meals at approximately the same times each day.
• Follow a predictable pre-meal routine (handwashing, setting the table, etc.).
• Use a visual schedule to illustrate mealtime steps.
• Maintain the same seating arrangements when possible.

2. Design a Sensory-Friendly Space

Environmental factors can significantly impact a “picky eater’s” willingness and ability to engage with food.

Practical strategies:

• Minimize distractions (turn off TV, reduce background noise).
• Consider lighting—some children are sensitive to bright or fluorescent lights.
• Provide seating that supports proper positioning (feet flat, hips and knees at 90-degree angles).
• Offer adaptive utensils or plates if needed (speak with your occupational therapist about recommendations).
• Have a “safe space” nearby if your child needs a sensory break.

3. Model Positive Eating Behaviors

Children learn by watching others. Parental modeling at mealtimes can be a powerful influence on children’s eating behaviors.

Practical strategies:

• Eat together as a family whenever possible.
• Demonstrate enjoyment and positive language around food.
• Avoid making negative comments about foods you dislike.
• Show interest in trying new foods yourself.
• Talk about the sensory properties of foods in neutral terms (“This apple is crunchy” rather than “Do you like it?”).

Evidence-Based Strategies for Mealtime Success

1. The Division of Responsibility Approach

Developed by registered dietitian Ellyn Satter, this approach defines clear roles for parents and children:

• Parents decide: What food is offered, when meals happen, where meals occur.
• Children decide: Whether to eat and how much to eat.

This approach reduces mealtime pressure and has been shown to improve long-term feeding outcomes.

Practical strategies:

• Provide at least one food your child typically accepts at each meal.
• Avoid forcing, bribing, or rewarding eating behaviors.
• Trust your child’s internal hunger and fullness cues.
• Focus on making mealtimes pleasant rather than on the quantity consumed.

2. Systematic Desensitization

For children with strong sensory aversions, gradual exposure to new foods is key. Research indicates that a step-by-step approach helps reduce anxiety and build tolerance.

Practical strategies:

• Use a food hierarchy moving from simply tolerating food nearby to interacting with and eventually tasting it.
• Encourage interaction with food through play (outside of mealtimes).
• Practice the “one-bite rule” with flexibility—ask for a tiny taste but don’t force it.
• Celebrate small victories, like touching or smelling a new food.

3. Visual and Tactile Food Exploration

Many children benefit from non-pressured opportunities to explore foods using multiple senses before eating them. Research has shown that multisensory exposure significantly increased food acceptance in children with feeding difficulties.

Practical strategies:

• Allow food exploration with hands (even if messy).
• Describe foods using specific sensory terms (crunchy, smooth, cold).
• Create food art or play games with foods to increase familiarity.
• Use food chaining—connecting preferred foods to new foods with similar properties.

4. Addressing Oral Motor Challenges

For children with difficulties chewing, swallowing, or managing different textures, specific strategies targeting oral motor skills can be beneficial.

Practical strategies:

• Ensure proper positioning during meals (stable core, feet supported).
• Offer foods that match your child’s oral motor abilities (as guided by your speech-language pathologist).
• Practice oral motor exercises recommended by your therapy team.
• Consider using specialized feeding utensils or cups.

Special Considerations for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Children with ASD often face unique challenges around feeding. A comprehensive review by Ledford & Gast found that structured behavioral approaches combined with sensory integration techniques showed the greatest success for these children.

Practical strategies:

• Implement visual supports to increase predictability.
• Consider the sensory environment carefully (lighting, sounds, smells).
• Use high-interest activities or special interests to encourage food interaction.
• Work with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to develop individualized reinforcement strategies.
• Progress at your child’s pace, recognizing that change may be especially challenging.

When Professional Feeding Therapy Support Is Needed

While many feeding issues can improve with home strategies, some situations warrant professional intervention. Some that might:

• Limited food variety (fewer than 20 different foods).
• Nutritional concerns or weight loss/insufficient gain.
• Mealtime behaviors that are disruptive to family functioning.
• Signs of swallowing difficulty (coughing, choking, gagging).
• Anxiety or distress that impacts quality of life.

At FOCUS Therapy, our interdisciplinary approach allows us to address feeding challenges comprehensively through:

• Occupational Therapy. Addressing sensory processing and motor planning aspects of feeding.
• Speech-Language Pathology. Focusing on oral motor skills, swallowing safety, and communication during meals.
• Specialized Feeding Therapy. Combining techniques from both disciplines for targeted intervention.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Implementing structured behavioral approaches to expand food acceptance.
• Family Support. Providing education, emotional support, and practical strategies for implementation at home.

The journey toward positive mealtimes for children with feeding sensitivities isn’t always linear. But with patience, consistency, and evidence-based strategies used in Fort Myers feeding therapy, progress is possible. Remember that small steps are worth celebrating, and that building a healthy relationship with food takes time.

At FOCUS Therapy, we’re committed to partnering with families to create individualized plans that address each child’s unique needs. If you’re concerned about your child’s feeding patterns or mealtime behaviors, our team is here to help.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re concerned about your child’s eating habits, our multidisciplinary team may be able to help. FOCUS Therapy offers pediatric feeding therapy and swallowing therapy in Fort Myers. Call (239) 313-5049 or Contact Us online.

Additional Resources:

What is Feeding Therapy? Can it Help Your Child Eat Better? Sept. 23, 2024, WebMD

More Blog Entries:

Does Your Child Need Fort Myers Feeding Therapy?