Helping Children Meet Their Full Potential Faster
If your child is not eating enough, it can affect their mood, digestion, sleep, and attention. Consult a doctor, feeding therapist, speech therapist, or occupational therapist. They can help you understand the issue better and provide tools to encourage healthier eating for your child.
Feeding therapy helps children with autism or feeding disorders learn the skills they need during mealtimes. A trained occupational or speech therapist provides support tailored to each child's unique needs. The therapy focuses on areas that make eating difficult. For example, it helps strengthen mouth muscles to improve spoon use. The feeding specialist works on essential skills like chewing, swallowing, and preventing choking.
Feeding therapy uses different techniques to make mealtime safe and enjoyable for children. It helps them eat the right foods for their age and get the nutrients they need. Common skills taught include:
Oral motor skills. These activities help children learn to chew, swallow, and sip, which builds their oral strength. Fun activities include blowing bubbles, playing instruments, and making silly faces.
Food orientation. Food aversion can be dangerous for children with allergies or sensory issues. If their meals are not balanced, they may not get the nutrients they need for a healthy diet. A therapist can help expand the child’s diet slowly and work on reducing their sensitivity to different textures.
Improvement on the overall experience. When a child consistently avoids certain foods, eating can become stressful and lead to anxiety. Therapists can help by improving mealtime routines and making food more enjoyable, creating a better eating experience.
Working with a speech-language therapist, your child will practice essential skills during one-on-one therapy sessions. This personalized approach, along with sensory adjustments, will help improve your child's feeding patterns effectively.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is based on positive reinforcement. In feeding therapy, you can use similar techniques. Instead of making a child eat something they don’t want, focus on helping them get used to it. It can include methods like desensitization, food chaining, and shaping. Encourage the child step by step through this process, and allow them to grow. This approach will lead to better results.
Feeding therapy begins by assessing your child's meals and how they behave during mealtimes. The therapist will review your child's eating history and listen to your concerns about feeding experiences. They will observe your child while eating to understand their habits and oral skills. Once the therapist identifies what changes are needed to improve mealtimes or what makes your child uncomfortable, they will create a personalized plan and outline the next steps.
Here are some guidelines to assist you in homing in on your child’s reasoning for avoiding foods.
Children with low muscle strength face challenges in their daily lives. To sit up straight, they need strong core muscles and stability from their shoulders and neck. If a child cannot sit upright, they struggle to use their hands effectively. It is called proximal stability for distal movement. Essentially, if a child cannot sit up properly, they cannot feed themselves with utensils. Low muscle tone also affects their eye movements and their ability to focus on objects at various distances.
Children with low muscle tone often struggle with eye-hand coordination. The hand relies on many muscles, and if these muscles are weak, a child may have difficulty gripping utensils. It can cause utensils to drop or be misused. Low muscle tone also affects how the muscles send feedback to the brain, which is essential for accurate movements, sensing pressure, and coordination.
These issues can make eating difficult. Self-feeding requires precision, fine motor skills, oral motor skills, and feedback to help a child understand and manage their actions.
Sensory processing is how the brain processes and interprets information from our bodies and surroundings. We receive this information through our senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, movement, and balance. When a child has trouble with sensory processing, it can make it hard for them to handle, organize, and respond to information automatically.
Your body uses its senses to understand what it experiences. If your body misinterprets information, you might have trouble eating properly. For example, a child who is “Hyporesponsive” does not notice temperature and texture. They may not feel food in their mouth, causing it to fall out. In contrast, a child who is “Hyperresponsive” to food may gag or even vomit because their brain gets too much information.
Sensory processing is a spectrum disorder, meaning children can be either overly sensitive or under-sensitive. A child might have food aversions and prefer only one color of food, lots of colors, bland foods, very spicy foods, hot foods, or cold foods. If their visual system becomes overwhelmed, they may struggle with activities like tracking objects or coordinating their hands and eyes. It can lead to not realizing when they are messy or having trouble getting food from a spoon to their mouth.
A child with hyperresponsiveness may seem easily distracted in noisy environments. If their auditory processing isn’t working well, they might mishear sounds and struggle to follow instructions because of distractions. They may also find certain noises, like chewing or a blender, hard to tolerate, which can make them irritable or unable to eat. If a child has trouble processing smells, certain odors can trigger a gag reflex or negative feelings about food. A child with proprioception difficulties might struggle to organize their movements for chewing or biting.
Children may struggle to coordinate their hand movements, making it hard for them to bring food to their mouths or bite into it. A child with poor vestibular processing might seem easily distracted. They may find it difficult to stay seated because they lack stability and focus. These children often struggle to calm down enough to sit during meals. If your child has these sensory issues, consider seeing an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory processing difficulties. They can help your child learn to handle their senses better and become more independent.
Muscle tone significantly affects a child’s ability to eat safely. If a child has low muscle tone, they may have trouble coordinating their swallowing, which can lead to choking. This fear of choking might make them reluctant to eat. To understand how a child swallows, a swallow study can be done. This study uses X-rays to show how the child’s throat and esophagus work when swallowing.
A speech-language pathologist will evaluate the results and inform you if there are any concerns. Children should also see a dentist who works with kids on the spectrum. There might be a dental issue causing pain that affects their ability to eat. It’s also important to see an allergist and a gastroenterologist. They can check for allergies that may impact mood and behavior, as well as any gastrointestinal problems like inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal pain, or frequent constipation.
These skills involve the strength of the muscles in the mouth, the ability to open and close the mouth and lips, and coordination when chewing. If a child has low muscle tone, it can affect their ability to chew and swallow.
We may have found some reasons why children have trouble eating. Here are some ways to help your child eat better.
To help your child accept different textures, they need to get used to them. The best way to do this is by introducing a variety of textures through fun play. For example, you can buy dry rice and put it in a shoebox or a similar-sized container. Encourage your child to play with the rice by scooping it into cups or bowls, searching for hidden objects, or burying their hands in it. I have worked with children of all ages, and they all enjoy playing with the rice bin!
Many children, especially those with low muscle tone, have trouble paying attention. It can be hard for them to sit still, support their bodies, and use their hands and eyes together. These children may also struggle to eat for long periods. Using movement can help organize your child's body and senses. It will improve their alertness and body awareness, making them more successful. You can encourage your child to do activities like jumping, marching, push-ups, wheelbarrow walking, or crab walking. Make it fun and silly so your child enjoys getting a workout without even realizing it.
When a child has a food sensitivity or sensory processing issues, they may dislike food and mealtime. Make eating fun instead of a struggle. Depending on your child's age, you can start with Play-Doh to create pretend meatballs and spaghetti. You can also use plastic foods or Velcro wooden foods that they can "slice." Encourage them to talk about colors, smells, and textures to help with their language skills. This approach can also help picky eaters try new foods!
Children with autism feel more comfortable when they have a routine. Create a clear daily schedule to help your child know what to expect. You can use pictures to show what they will eat. Also, give them choices, like asking if they want a sliced apple or hummus with chips for a snack.
Nutrition therapy focuses on what children eat, while feeding therapy focuses on how they eat. Feeding therapy can make mealtimes more enjoyable and less stressful for autistic children.
Occupational therapists or speech-language pathologists often provide feeding therapy. This therapy helps children with food aversions related to textures, smells, or tastes. It also helps improve the skills needed for effective eating.
Key components of feeding therapy include:
Sensory Desensitization: This approach gradually introduces the child to different food textures, smells, and tastes. The goal is to help reduce their anxiety and fear about these sensory experiences.
Oral-Motor Training: This approach focuses on exercises to help improve the muscles and movements used in eating. Therapists might work on making chewing muscles stronger or helping with tongue coordination.
Behavioral Intervention: This approach uses methods to encourage positive eating habits. These methods may include setting routines, offering rewards, or creating a calm and quiet space for meals.
A balanced and nutritious diet is vital for everyone's health. However, it can be especially hard for children with autism. They often have limited eating habits because of their different sensory experiences or need for routine.
Nutrition therapy helps children with autism manage their eating challenges. A registered dietitian or nutritionist who understands autism guides this therapy. These professionals create meal plans that ensure children get all the nutrients they need while considering their specific likes and dislikes.
Nutritional therapists:
Conduct a Nutritional Status Assessment: The therapist will conduct a complete review of the child's eating habits, likes, and dislikes. The assessment will also look at any health issues, such as stomach problems, which are common in autistic children.
Develop a Personalized Nutrition Plan: After the assessment, the therapist will create a personalized nutrition plan for the child. This plan will help the child get the proper nutrients while also taking into account their food preferences and sensory sensitivities.
Educate and Support: The therapist will teach the child and their caregivers about essential nutrients. They will show how to include these nutrients in the child’s favorite foods. The therapist will also provide ongoing support and adjust the nutrition plan as needed.
When your child serves food to everyone, they see that everyone is eating the same meal. It helps them get used to the sight and smell of the food.
Your child should have the same food on their plate as everyone else. It helps them get used to seeing and smelling the food. Over time, this makes them more likely to try it.
Helping a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop healthy eating habits can feel overwhelming for many families. At Caliber Autism, we understand that mealtime challenges often stem from more than just picky eating — sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or oral-motor difficulties can all play a role. For parents in Michigan, including Troy and Detroit, who are searching for feeding therapy near me, we offer a warm, supportive environment where every child’s needs are understood from day one.
Our process always starts with listening to you and your child. Through a careful assessment, we identify the specific hurdles making mealtimes stressful. From there, we build a plan that blends gentle sensory activities, oral-motor skill building, and practical behavioral strategies. These steps are introduced gradually, so children can feel safe while learning to explore new foods. Families looking for pediatric feeding therapy in Michigan often find that this patient, step-by-step approach helps their child make progress without feeling pressured.
Feeding therapy is about so much more than nutrition. Yes, it can expand your child’s diet, but it also builds confidence, reduces stress, and turns meals into more positive family moments. Our team works with you at every stage, adjusting as your child becomes more comfortable and skilled. For many parents in Troy, Detroit, and nearby areas, this partnership turns mealtime from a daily struggle into a time of joy.
At Caliber Autism, we know how challenging mealtimes can be for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder — and for the families who love them. Our caring, highly trained therapists create personalized feeding therapy plans that address your child’s specific needs, whether that means tackling sensory sensitivities, expanding food choices, or improving overall nutrition.
If you’ve been searching for feeding therapy near me or autism testing in Michigan, we’re here to help. Our goal is to make mealtimes less stressful, more nourishing, and filled with small victories that lead to significant changes. Schedule your assessment today and see how our compassionate, step-by-step approach can support your child’s growth — both at the table and beyond.
Improved Nutritional Intake: Feeding therapy can help people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improve their eating habits. It can lead to a healthier diet and better nutrition. Good nutrition is essential for growth, development, and overall health.
Enhanced Social Interaction: Therapy can help people with ASD who have trouble eating. This support can make mealtime more comfortable and build their confidence. As a result, they may have better social interactions around food, which can lead to stronger relationships. It also helps reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety related to eating.
Increased Independence: Meeting the goals of feeding therapy can help individuals with ASD eat more independently. This independence improves their quality of life and makes it easier for caregivers. It promotes a sense of autonomy and self-sufficiency for those receiving treatment.
Feeding therapy helps children with autism improve their eating habits, accept a wider variety of foods, and develop oral motor skills. It involves structured sessions that are tailored to each child's needs.
At Caliber Autism, we create feeding therapy that meets each child's unique sensory, behavioral, and nutritional needs. We use proven strategies to help promote healthy eating habits.
If your child has extreme picky eating, has trouble chewing or swallowing, gags often, or avoids certain textures, it may be a good idea to get help from a feeding therapist.
Feeding therapy helps with nutrition and growth. It can also reduce stress during mealtimes, improve focus, and support better daily routines.
In an ABA feeding therapy session, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will look at your child’s feeding challenges and create a personalized plan. Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) will give direct support using methods like breaking tasks into steps, providing praise for progress, and slowly introducing new foods. You will also get help on using these strategies at home.
ABA feeding therapy helps children with autism, but it also supports children with other developmental or behavioral issues who have feeding problems. Our team tailors our approach to meet each child's specific needs and challenges.
ABA feeding therapy is very effective for helping children who refuse food or are picky eaters. This therapy uses a structured and personalized approach to help kids try new foods, feel less anxious about eating, and enjoy mealtimes more.
Feeding therapy helps children with autism improve their eating habits, accept a wider variety of foods, and develop oral motor skills. It involves structured sessions that are tailored to each child's needs.
At Caliber Autism, we create feeding therapy that meets each child's unique sensory, behavioral, and nutritional needs. We use proven strategies to help promote healthy eating habits.
If your child has extreme picky eating, has trouble chewing or swallowing, gags often, or avoids certain textures, it may be a good idea to get help from a feeding therapist.
Feeding therapy helps with nutrition and growth. It can also reduce stress during mealtimes, improve focus, and support better daily routines.
In an ABA feeding therapy session, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will look at your child’s feeding challenges and create a personalized plan. Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) will give direct support using methods like breaking tasks into steps, providing praise for progress, and slowly introducing new foods. You will also get help on using these strategies at home.
ABA feeding therapy helps children with autism, but it also supports children with other developmental or behavioral issues who have feeding problems. Our team tailors our approach to meet each child's specific needs and challenges.
ABA feeding therapy is very effective for helping children who refuse food or are picky eaters. This therapy uses a structured and personalized approach to help kids try new foods, feel less anxious about eating, and enjoy mealtimes more.
