Do you have a picky eater? Does your child only eat a few foods? Almost 2/3 of kids on the spectrum eat 20 foods or less. Maybe you've read the research that a healthy diet helps improve autism symptoms, but you struggle to get your child to eat new foods.
A trained Occupational or Speech therapist may also offer feeding therapy. Feeding therapy can be helpful, if your child has a sensory processing disorder, autism, cerebal palsy, or any other motor deficits. The therapist will teach the child how to eat or eat better. You will most likely be encouraged to join in the sessions with your child. It is beneficial to learn a few basic tips to help carry over the therapy into your home. You will learn how to group food according to texture, color, size, and shape. It was interesting to learn the basic foundations of feeding therapy. Our son and I were taught the child-led approach, where the goal is to work the food near/closer to the mouth.
The process is simple:
look at the food
smell the food
touch the food
lick the food
chew the food
swallow the food
Like so many things with autism, what we perceive as simple is in fact a multi-step process that needs to be broken down to its basic components. It is a slow process, but helping your child to eat healthy will be very beneficial for them long term.
NEXT STEPS
Ask your occupational or speech therapist about feeding therapy.
Do you research and learn the method your therapist recommends.
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