Pediatric Therapy for Picky Eating in Buford, GA
Is your child struggling to eat a variety of healthy foods or refusing to try new textures and flavors? Sometimes, children go through a “picky eating” phase as they grow. But when that phase continues or causes stress or health concerns, it may not be just a phase. In fact, some children struggle with picky eating due to sensory processing challenges.
Our team of pediatric therapists at TLC Therapy Services has the tools to help your child overcome sensory feeding challenges. Through fun, family-centered therapy, we’ll help your child develop healthier eating habits and build a more positive relationship with food.
What Is Picky Eating?
Picky eating goes beyond food preferences when sensory processing challenges are involved. This is a condition where a child has difficulty processing certain textures, tastes, smells, or even the appearance of food. These challenges can make eating an overwhelming experience, and they often lead to limited diets and nutritional concerns.
Common Symptoms of Sensory Feeding Challenges
Some of the most common signs of picky eating in children due to a sensory feeding challenge include:
- Refusing foods based on texture, color, or temperature
- Gagging or vomiting when certain foods are given to them
- Eating a very limited variety of foods or avoiding entire food groups
- Becoming anxious or upset during mealtimes
- Taking an unusually long time to eat or chew food
- Only accepting “safe” foods and resisting trying anything new
- Choosing not to eat at all rather than eating a new or unwanted food
- Overstuffing the mouth with food (“pocketing” their food)
- Being adamant that different foods on the plate cannot be touched
How Our Pediatric Therapists Can Treat Sensory Feeding Challenges
At TLC Therapy Services, we take a family-centered approach to help children with sensory feeding challenges. Our team includes both speech and occupational therapists who collaborate with one another and with you to help your child build the skills they need to overcome feeding challenges.
Our goal is to help your child feel confident during mealtimes so they can get the nutrients their growing body needs for healthy development. Your child’s treatment may include:
- Sensory Integration Therapy: to help your child become more comfortable with textures, smells, and tastes
- Oral-Motor Exercises: to strengthen the muscles used for chewing and swallowing
- Family Coaching: to give you strategies to make mealtimes easier at home
- Gradual Food Exposure: to give your child the chance to experience new foods slowly in a fun, low-pressure way
Schedule an Evaluation Today
If mealtimes have become a challenge for your child due to picky eating or sensory feeding issues, we’re here to help. Our team of pediatric therapists will work with you and your child to help them overcome feeding challenges for better overall health and relaxing mealtimes.
Give us a call at (770) 696-6649 to schedule an evaluation with our expert pediatric therapists today.