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Mealtime Matters
Is your child controlling
and/or rigid about food choices? Do you make more than one
dinner each night because your child refuses to eat what
your family eats?
Many two-year-olds are picky
eaters. But how do you know when this problem has gone too
far? Children who are picky eaters often go through a phase.
But some children do not grow out of this phase and become
resistant eaters even past the preschool years.
Extreme picky eating may
manifest itself in a number of different ways. A child may
eliminate an entire food group, only eat certain brands of
familiar foods, only accept foods with a certain texture
(like pureed foods), or gag and/or vomit when offered new
foods.
Contributing Factors
Children who are extreme
picky eaters may look the same, but the reasons for their
behavior can differ.
Children with oral motor
disorders may have trouble moving food around in their mouth
and chewing and swallowing safely. Children with sensory
processing disorders may not be able to handle different
textures of food and resist foods that are not pureed.
Children with autism might have controlling and rigid
behaviors that stop them from trying new foods. Some
children might have a combination of these factors affecting
their ability to eat.
The important thing to know
is that with the right intervention, these children’s eating
habits can be changed.
Solutions
The Center for
LifeSkills therapists are experts in
sensory issues and behavior, and have had a great deal of
success in working with children to widen their food
repertoire. We are one of the only private clinics in the
area focused on these issues.
Brenda and Stefanie are
passionate about helping families with their children who
are extreme picky eaters. Life can be isolating and
frustrating for families whose children do not eat like
their siblings or peers. With the proper therapy we
can make a difference quickly and help reduce the
frustration.
We use a combination of
methods and philosophies to meet our clients' goals.
Sessions are held in our office on a weekly basis. Often,
the feeding therapy is part of a speech or occupational
therapy session.
Autism
Approximately two-thirds of
children with Autism Spectrum Disorders have food
aversions and are extremely picky eaters. Early intervention
is crucial.
For kids with autism, healthy
eating habits are especially important. Their diets have a
direct impact on their behavior. Many children with
autism tend to crave sweets and carbohydrates and refuse
proteins and fruits and vegetables. We can help
integrate these foods into their diets and teach them to eat
a variety of foods when they are young so they can become
healthy eaters in their adulthood.
Talk to Us About Your Child's Eating
Habits
We can help you understand
the root of your child's picky eating and map out a plan.
Call us at 440.498.1100 or write to us at
questions@center4lifeskills.com .
Click
here to go to our main
services page.
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