Saturday, March 15, 2014

Ideas for children with Sensory Processing Disorder

Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) may be picky eaters. It doesn't always have something to do with the taste of the food. Sometimes it is about the "mouth feel" of the food. Sometimes it is about the touch. Take a look at this blog for some suggestions that may help children with SPD take a taste of something healthy that they might not have considered tasting before.

http://www.mummymusingsandmayhem.com/2012/11/15-strategies-to-encourage-spd-toddlers.html

Can you think of other suggestions for picky eaters with SPD?

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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 25, 2014 at 7:46 PM

    As I read in the blog, I noticed that the mother used sensory activities to help encourage the child to eat different foods. I would suggest that a child with SPD try to make their own play dough. Using ingredients a child with SPD is comfortable with will help them with textures to certain foods. It would encourage the child to try something new and their hands are being comforted with play dough. Play dough is a soothing mechanism for children and this would help a child with SPD.

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  2. UnknownMarch 30, 2014 at 8:29 AM

    This article was very interesting and I learned a lot about SPD. I have always been skeptical to picky eating because it seemed to be a disorder fed by parents. I have never liked fish, not even as a child, so I understand that there is food every child will not like. But I've met some children who will only eat chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese, and that is what is made for them almost everyday. I read somewhere that a child will never starve themselves, however this woman describes a more severe form of picky eating then I have known (which I guess is what classifies it as SPD). I am now completely sympathetic to her situation and the severity of this disorder. After reading the article, here are a few suggestions I would give her:

    1. She mentioned introducing puréed foods to get twins at age 4 months. In my experience this is at least 2 months too early to introduce anything besides milk or formula for exactly the reasons she described occurred. Infants that small may not be ready to swallow or digest such foods. It's always best to wait until 6 months, and if they show any trouble swallowing to hold off further. If the child was eating purées comfortably then slowly introduce the textures by giving one spoonful she could handle, then texture, and then back to the smooth.

    2. Distraction is a great way to get young children to eat. I'm a nanny to a 2 year old and know it all too well. The mother mentioned letting her daughters watch tv during meal times. The best distraction of all is interaction with children. Sitting down and talking while they eat or thinking of a game to play that will encourage them to take bites is SO effective. My girl loves to count, so I'll say, "take a bite and we can count the napkins" or "what should we count next? Take a bite and then we'll decide!"

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