Childhood is a time of tremendous growth and development; getting crucial nutrients from nutritious foods plays a major role in proper growth and development. When children have problems eating, it can cause both caregivers and children to feel frustrated and distressed, and can also have a significant impact on their physical and emotional development.
Here at PediaPlex in Southlake, Fort Worth, and Frisco, Texas, our multidisciplinary practice offers a range of therapies, including feeding therapy, to address a variety of eating disorders. Here are four types of pediatric eating disorders and how feeding therapy can help.
Many children are picky eaters, but when they constantly reject certain foods based on their texture, smell, taste, or appearance, they may have a sensory food aversion. This aversion can lead to a limited diet, affecting a child’s nutrition and growth.
Feeding therapy addresses sensory food aversion by gradually introducing new foods in a non-threatening manner. Our therapists use play-based techniques and sensory integration methods to help children become more comfortable with different textures and tastes.
The goal is to reduce anxiety around eating and encourage a more varied and balanced diet, ultimately improving their nutritional intake and overall health.
When a child's eating habits lead to weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, or dependence on supplements, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) may be the underlying issue. Unlike typical picky eating, ARFID involves a persistent refusal to eat certain foods or a lack of interest in eating altogether.
Treatment for ARFID through feeding therapy involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes behavioral strategies to increase food acceptance and nutritional support to ensure we meet the child’s dietary needs. Our therapists work with children and their families to create structured mealtimes, use positive reinforcement, and gradually expand the range of accepted foods.
Repeatedly regurgitating and re-chewing food is not only distressing but can also lead to severe health issues. Rumination disorder, often seen in infants and young children, can cause malnutrition, dental problems, and social stigma.
Feeding therapy for rumination disorder focuses on breaking the cycle of regurgitation through behavioral interventions. We teach techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation methods to help the child control the regurgitation reflex.
We use positive reinforcement to encourage proper swallowing and retention of food, promoting healthier eating patterns and improving nutritional status.
Eating non-food items, a behavior known as pica, can pose serious health risks for children. This disorder, which involves the consumption of substances like dirt, clay, chalk, or paper, is often associated with developmental disorders and nutritional deficiencies.
In feeding therapy, treating pica involves a comprehensive approach that includes behavioral strategies to discourage eating non-food items and nutritional interventions to address any underlying deficiencies.
Our therapists work closely with parents and caregivers to create a safe environment, removing access to harmful substances and providing appropriate food alternatives. Positive reinforcement and consistent monitoring are essential components of successful treatment.
At PediaPlex, we support your child’s journey to better health and well-being. If you have concerns about your child’s eating behaviors, contact us today to learn more about how our pediatric feeding therapy can make a difference.
