Have a picky eater? I sure do, and these tips are right on......

Another great Sensory Tip of the Day by Angie Voss, OTR at www.asensorylife.com Picky eating doesn't really even describe what my son has gone through. Refusal to eat to the point that he loses 4 pounds in a matter of a few months. Becomes skin and bones. It's scary. And no matter what we would try, we just couldn't get him to eat during a few periods of time. He did do feeding therapy- which was actually not helpful at all. They took a pure behavioral approach, rather than this sensory approach. But thank goodness he was seeing his OT during this time and she was the one that really helped him. And helped us understand this eating issue, how to help him, and when you take this sensory approach it really improves. But everyday it's different. I can count on 2 hands the variety of foods my son will eat. But at least he eats- is it well balanced, no way! But he's not losing weight. He takes vitamins. He's healthy right now. But we also see under periods of more stress, more challenges to his system (ie when we went camping), he will literally eat only 2 or 3 foods. Oatmeal, cereal, and some form of crackers. That's it. But for that time we are gone, we just roll with it and know it will improve. So here are top 10 tips from Angie Voss, OTR. Top 10 Tips for Helping a Picky Eater- by Angie Voss, OTR Do not force a child to eat anything. Do not insist on having the child touch it or put it in their mouth. Do not bribe with a reward or insist that they take just one bite, this will only back fire on the nervous system in the long run. Respect that trying new foods is a multi-sensory experience and that the smell and look of the food may be overwhelming in itself...never mind putting it in the mouth to experience the taste and texture of it all. If the child is having an "off" sensory day, then expect the food choices to be even that much more limited...it's ok, each day may be different. Try not to talk about food all of the time. It is hard enough for the child as it is. Our society is so preoccupied with food and the child is constantly bombarded with food choices and experiences...all day long. If your child has a few balanced food choices, then let it be and let the food choices expand naturally (with a sensory enriched life of course to work on the sensory foundation and sensory processing). Offer daily opportunities to play and interact with food, yet in a fun and exploring kind of way. Refrain from even suggesting to "try it" or "taste it". Let it happen naturally. Offer daily sensory activities involving the power sensations. Offer daily tactile experiences, since the oral sensory system is a part of the overall tactile system. Right before mealtime prep the nervous system and brain by 15 minutes of vestibular and proprioceptive play. Prep the oral structures by offering gum or an oral sensory tool prior to mealtime and offer an opportunity for resistive sucking or blowing, such as a bubble mountain.