Supporting Your Child’s Unique Eating Journey
By Lisseth Reano M.Sc. OT, OT Reg. (Ont.)
If your child is a selective eater, you’re not alone. Many families experience mealtime stress as children struggle with certain textures, reject new foods, or prefer the same few meals every day. While this can feel frustrating, occupational therapy (OT) can offer insight and practical support—because eating is not just about eating. It’s a complex sensory, motor, emotional, and developmental task.
Selective Eating from an OT Perspective
1. Sensory Processing Differences
Eating involves all the senses: taste, smell, touch, sound, and sight. Some children are sensitive to textures (e.g., mushy or mixed foods), smells (e.g., eggs), or visual presentation. Others seek stronger flavours or crunch. As such, what may appear as refusal may be due to the child’s nervous system trying to protect itself from sensory overwhelm.
2. Oral-Motor Challenges
If your child has difficulty chewing different textures, tires easily, or avoids foods requiring more work (like meats or raw veggies), they may be compensating for oral-motor weakness or coordination challenges. This can look like “picky eating” but is a skill-based hurdle.
3. Postural Support and Core Strength
Stable bodies support successful eating. If a child is slouching, sliding, or working hard to stay upright, attention shifts away from exploring food. Good seating and posture can make more difference than most parents expect.
4. Emotional and Co-Regulation Needs
Children eat best when they feel safe. Stress, pressure, or past negative experiences (like choking or being forced to eat) can affect mealtimes. It is important to emphasize connection, co-regulation, and positive mealtime routines.
Growing Food Explorers: OT Strategies for Selective Eaters
1. Build a Regulation-Friendly Meal Environment
Before eating, ensure your child is regulated and calm. This may include:
A movement break prior to sitting down
Deep pressure (a firm hug, pushing hands together, wall pushes)
Quiet time or dimmed lights if your child is easily overwhelmed
2. Support Seating and Posture
A supported body frees up energy for chewing, trying, and focusing:
Feet supported (on the floor or a stool)
Hips, knees, and ankles at 90°
A table at mid-torso level
3. Engage in Food Exploration Without Expectations
Become a food detective to create safe food exposure:
Touching food with utensils, then fingers
Smelling or describing food
Painting with yogurt, pudding, or sauces
4. Support Oral-Motor Skills
Simple daily activities can strengthen the mouth muscles involved in eating:
Blowing bubbles or whistles
Using straws of different resistances (curly straw)
Chewing chewy snacks (if safe)
When to Consider OT Support
Every child has unique sensory preferences, motor skills, and emotional needs. An occupational therapist may help if your child:
Eats fewer than 15–20 foods
Has strong reactions to textures, smells, or mixed foods
Gags or vomits often around food
Avoids entire food groups
Struggles with chewing, swallowing, or posture
A multidisciplinary approach might also be required when supporting children with more complex feeding journeys.
