How To
Manage Fussy Eating For Sensory Processing Disorder Children
Sensory Processing Disorder means that a child perceives and interprets
information from the senses in a different way. It is a neurological disorder
that affects the seven senses: proprioception, vestibular, vision, hearing,
tactile, gustatory, and auditory. Each child usually has one or two senses that
are more affected than others. Just to clarify, Sensory Processing Disorder is
not a dysfunction at the site of sense, for example burst eardrum causing
hearing loss. Instead it is a disturbance in the processing of information in
the nervous system as it reaches the brain.
Some children are particularly affected by the
gustatory and tactile senses, which has a huge effect on eating. Certain
textures or tastes can be very uncomfortable/difficult for their brain to
process. However, there are ways to manage this so the child can still eat a
variety of textures and tastes.
Suggestions:
Give the child an ice block (preferably low in
sugar!) before trying a new food, as the ice will numb the mouth from the
different textures
Allow the child to play with the food using
his/her fingers, as this will make the child feel more comfortable with the
texture before it goes in his/her mouth
Grind food so it is smooth to eat without
large lumpy bits. This means there is less information for the brain to
process.
Get the child involved in the preparation of
the food. This will make the child feel more comfortable with the food and
excited to try something new because he/she made it.
Create a system of trying new foods. Try not
to introduce too many types of new tastes and textures all at once. It may
be helpful to write it on a calendar for each week/month trying one type of
new food.
Use positive reinforcement such as a star
chart, and praise the child when he/she tries something new.
