Eating fuels us to run, laugh, and live life to the fullest. Without proper nutrition, it’s easy to not feel like yourself. As pediatric feeding disorders can often lead to a poor diet, feeding therapy can get your child to eat a variety of meals again.
Feeding therapy is a specialized approach to all eating challenges. It’s not uncommon for an autistic child to be a selective eater, so early intervention can make mealtime more relaxed and positive.
Feeding therapy programs can benefit any age, but working with children is most effective for long-term nutritional improvement. Working alongside a speech-language pathologist (SLP), autistic children can see the changes needed for improved quality of life.
In this blog, we’ll discuss:
- What is feeding therapy for autism?
- Is feeding therapy the same as speech therapy?
- How does feeling therapy work?
- What are the techniques of feeding in ABA?
- What to expect from feeding therapy?
What is Feeding Therapy for Autism?
Feeding therapy is a specialized approach to all eating challenges. Autistic children typically face feeding problems because of their selective preference and sensory challenges. Selective eating is common for autistic children because they avoid unfamiliar foods or ones with abnormal textures. This can cause disordered eating or fear of new foods.
Relying on preferred foods can also contribute to a limited diet in autistic children – as they are not eating proper nutrients. At this point, feeding intervention becomes necessary. Feeding therapy for autistic children is not significantly different compared to typical feeding therapy, as each therapy approach will be customized for the child’s needs and progress.
Is Feeding Therapy the Same as Speech Therapy?
Both forms of therapy have overlapping techniques but ultimately focus on a different concern. Feeding and speech therapy can both be performed by an SLP, but feeding therapy can additionally be conducted by an occupational therapist.
Speech therapy focuses on improving autonomous communication via AAC as well as language and speaking skills such as articulation, motor planning, and vocabulary development.
Feeding therapy focuses on improving the mealtime experience to promote a positive relationship with food through environmental changes as well as addressing underlying feeding issues such as delayed feeding and oral motor skills (such as the ability to chew and swallow).
How Does Feeding Therapy Work?
Feeding therapy uses a variety of techniques to make mealtimes safe and enjoyable. This helps children eat appropriate food for their age and get proper nutrients. Skills commonly taught are:
- Oral motor skills. These skills teach the child to chew, swallow, and sip in order to increase oral strength. Activities include blowing bubbles, playing instruments, or making silly faces.
- Food orientation. Due to allergies or sensory issues, food aversion can become dangerous. If meals are not balanced, they will not have a healthy diet. A therapist will work to slowly expand the child’s diet and work on reducing sensitivity to textures.
- Improvement on the overall experience. Eating can become negative or anxiety-inducing after a child consistently avoids certain foods. Working to improve mealtime routines and food association, therapists can generate a more positive eating experience.
With a speech-language therapist, these skills will be put into practice during one on one direct therapy. A personalized approach paired with sensory adjustments will bring your child results through effective feeding patterns.
What are the Techniques of Feeding in ABA?
The basis of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is positive reinforcement. In feeding therapy, similar techniques can be used. Instead of forcing a child to eat something they don’t want to, you can work on desensitization, food chaining, shaping, and positive reinforcement. You’ll see greater results by encouraging the child through each step of this process and allowing room for growth.
What to Expect From Feeding Therapy?
Feeding therapy starts with evaluating your child’s meals and mealtime behavior. With a review of feeding history and parental report of feeding experience, your therapist will watch the child eat to observe eating habits and oral motor skills. After grasping what changes need to be made for mealtimes or what is making the child uncomfortable, your therapist will then create a personalized plan and the next steps.
