Tips & Tricks for Feeding Your Child

Here are helpful tips and tricks for feeding special needs children created by Chris Purgatori, an occupational therapist at the Kaufman Children’s Center for Speech, Language, Sensory Motor & Social Connections in Michigan. Take a look:

• If the picky eating seems to be sensory-based, encourage your child to play with foods to get used to them.

• Encourage your child to get involved with food preparation. Kids are more likely to try things if they help prepare the meal.

• Encourage your child to eat with other kids. Peer pressure can be a good thing!

• Provide your child with small amounts of the foods you are eating along with a food your child usually eats. This way, the child gets used to the foods being there and when they are ready to try them, they will.

• Have a consistent routine at mealtime so your child knows what to expect.

• Experiment with small, subtle changes in difficult foods. Sometimes just a change in temperature makes it more acceptable.

• Before the meal, write a list of the foods that need to be eaten before going to the next activity. Share with your child so they understand.

**Source-https://thriveicecream.com/2016/06/14/tips-tricks-for-feeding-your-special-needs-child/