Fun is at the heart of feeding group therapy at Polinsky
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Most picky eaters eventually learn to like a variety
of foods, but a few have issues that go beyond normal finickiness.
Children who avoid whole categories of food,
such as meat, milk, fruit or vegetables, or who avoid food based on its texture, may have
sensory difficulties.
These kids and their parents can find help in feeding group therapy offered at Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center in Duluth. Children who reject food on the basis of shape, temperature or color can also benefit. |
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The group is designed for children age 3 or older who have a limited diet that compromises their growth, who become upset with new foods or who can’t easily chew or move food in their mouths.
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Mari Rodriguez-Hernandez, 7, carefully examines a sliver of carrot in a salad mix during feeding group therapy. |
| Speech Language Pathologist Nicole Lampi and Occupational Therapist Char Dillon use a sensory approach (Sequential Oral Sensory) to help children during the 90-minute sessions that include parents. Each “taste picnic” offers nine foods that share some characteristics but differ in others such as temperature, color, texture or shape. |
| To participate in feeding group therapy, a child must have a physician’s referral. Insurance often covers the therapy. For more information, call Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center at (218) 786-5360. |
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Kids are encouraged to have fun and play with the food, using all their senses. Teaching the similarities and differences helps decrease anxiety and fear about new foods or foods that a child has decided he doesn’t like, Lampi says.
“We focus mostly on how they interact with foods rather than the amount they eat each session,’’ she says.
“Everyone interprets tastes and textures a little differently,” Lampi points out. “For example, some kids love the stickiness of gummy bears while others find them too slimy or to difficult to chew. With kids, if eating doesn’t feel good, or it’s just too much work, they don’t want to do it.”
Lampi and Dillon explain that some kids have sensory difficulties that affect how they experience food and eating. Others may have health issues, such as severe reflux or food allergies, that may have made them feel sick when they ate certain foods before.
“It can start with anxiety and fear,” Lampi says, “and then develops into a power struggle with parents.”
Lampi and Dillon teach parents strategies that help them partner with their children. That helps relieve the stress and conflict for everyone.
“The kids are confident in trying new foods, and they can remain calm,” Lampi says.
“Parents are just so relieved that there’s another way to approach their children’s feeding issues,” Dillon said.
Lampi and Dillon offer tips for parents:
- Food jags are normal in kids. When your child is set on eating just one food, offer it every second or third day instead of every day. And vary the brand, too.
- Make food and eating fun and interactive. It’s OK to make a mess.
- Encourage your child to smell, touch and taste her food.
- Have a sit-down family meal. You can model good eating habits and table manners. It adds also adds structure to eating, which can lower a child’s anxiety about foods.
- Have kids help prepare foods. Let them stir, add seasonings.
- Let your child pick a special placemat or bowl.
- Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes for cheese, breads or sandwiches.
- Ask your child to make food magically disappear – by eating it.
- Set expectations, but be realistic
- Offer small portions. If the child is still hungry, he can get seconds.
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