When a child isn’t eating or is only eating a limited variety of foods, it can be stressful for families to navigate. Feeding is one of our activities of daily living (ADLs) that we typically participate in at least 3 times a day. There are many factors that impact feeding, including but not limited to:
- Posture, Seating, and Positioning
- Sensory Processing and Integration
- Fine Motor Skills
- Oral Motor Skills
- Development
- Behavior, Routines, and Experiences
Because feeding is much more complex than it seems, it can be puzzling when trying to figure out why a child isn’t eating or trying new foods. Is it because of a lack of core strength, tongue lateralization, or coordination? Is it due to sensory processing challenges, such as being underresponsive or overresponsive to what food smells, tastes, looks, or feels like? Is it due to negative experiences and associations with trying new foods?
No matter the cause, it can be difficult navigating feeding challenges on your own. Fortunately, there are supports and interventions that can be utilized to improve feeding outcomes for children experiencing difficulty eating, including the Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding. The SOS Approach utilizes play and progressive exposure to positive experiences regarding food. Eating does not begin at the mouth, and there are many steps that can be taken to improve feeding outcomes.
Therapists utilizing the SOS Approach to Feeding have received at least 24 hours of clinical training regarding the approach along with direct experience implementing strategies with patients. I am fortunate to be professionally trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding, and have worked with patients as young as 32 weeks premature up until 18 years old with various feeding difficulties.
Do you have a question regarding feeding? Contact us today at 218-234-2094 or SproutTherapyOT@gmail.com to see how Sprout Therapy OT can help.