We use the SOS Approach to Feeding to work with children that are either picky eaters or problem feeders. 

 Red Flags*

Does your child:

• have ongoing poor weight gain (dropping percentiles on the growth curve) or weight loss?

• have ongoing choking, gagging, or coughing during meals?

• have ongoing problems with vomiting?

• avoid all foods in a specific texture (wet, squishy, crunchy, etc.) or nutrition (meat, vegetables, starches, fruits, etc.) group?

• have less than 20 foods that they are able to consistently eat? Especially if foods are being dropped over time with no new foods replacing those that were lost.

Has your child had:

• more than one incident of nasal reflux (vomiting or spitting up out their nose)?

• a traumatic choking incident, where the child choked on something and then subsequently stopped eating certain foods?

• a history of eating and breathing coordination problems, with ongoing respiratory issues?

Was your child unable to:

• transition to baby food purees by 10 months of age?

• accept any table food solids by 12 months of age?

• transition from the breast/bottle to a cup by 16 months of age?

• wean off of baby foods by 16 months of age?

Have you (as a parent or caregiver)

• reported the child as being “picky” at 2 or more well child checks?

• reported that your infant cries and/or arches at most meals?

• felt like mealtimes are a battle, and that you are always fighting about food with your child?

• reported that your child is difficult for everyone to feed?

• had a history of an eating disorder, in addition to having a child who is not meeting weight gain goals? (Please note – parents are not viewed as causing the feeding problem in their child, however, they may be more stressed around meals and need extra supports.

 

If you answered “yes” to four or more of these questions, your child would benefit from receiving a feeding assessment.  If your child has six or more of these red flags, feeding therapy is likely needed. The good news is that feeding therapy can help! The earlier you begin working with a feeding therapist, the faster you will see changes. It is much easier to change a 2 year old’s relationship to food than a 12 year olds. Regardless of age, feeding therapy can make mealtimes more enjoyable at the table, including parents/caregivers!

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*Taken from The SOS Approach to Eating by Kay A. Toomey, PhD