Eating Skills

Occupational Therapy can help address difficulties with eating skills

Some examples of when a child may need assistance with eating:

  • Gets upset when hands or face get messy
  • Eats a limited variety of foods
  • Uses a feeding tube for nutrition and weight gain
  • Has difficulty with the suck, swallow, breathe reflex or sequence
  • Results of a Swallow Study (OPM) determine the child is unsafe with swallowing or is at risk for aspiration
  • Is considered a “picky eater”
  • Has difficulty with using spoon and fork to feed themselves
  • Gets distracted when eating in noisy or public places
  • Refuses to try new foods
  • Reflux
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) difficulties

Here are some helpful links:
Feeding Products
Infant Sensory Systems in Feeding
Infant Nutrition Information
Eating for Autism Book
Functional Feeding Issues in Autism

 


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