WHEN SHOULD I CONSULT WITH PROFESSIONALS ABOUT MY CHILD’S EATING HABITS AND NUTRITIONAL NEEDS?
The strategies listed in the parent guide are good for most children, no matter their age or their disability status. Even children with medical conditions need to eat on a schedule, and have to learn how to eat nutritious foods. However, the strategies listed on this page do not constitute medical advice. Only you and your child’s health care providers will know what’s best for your child.
Not all children develop good eating skills easily. Some of them need to be taught longer and more often. Some of them learn more slowly. Some of them continue to have difficulty, especially if they have a medical or behavioral conditions that interferes with eating, with their growth, or with their nutritional needs. You and your child’s health care providers might need to use different strategies to help your child eat a healthy diet.
Read the following paragraphs. They will help you to decide if professional supports are needed.
Chewing and swallowing. Some children have difficulty chewing and swallowing. Some of these children might only take liquid nutrition by mouth or via a tube that goes to their stomach. You may need to consult with a professional to know if an eating schedule is good for your child, when their nutrition is liquid only, for example.
Oral sensitivities. Some children are too sensitive. They need a lot of time to get used to eating new foods. They may be overly sensitive to the smell or taste of foods. You may need to learn from the professional about how to start teaching your child to eat different textures of foods, what to do if your child shows coughing or gagging, or what types of food textures your child can tolerate.
Questions to share with your child’s medical providers. Here are some questions that you can ask your child’s health care provider. The answers to these questions will help you choose the right eating strategies for your child:
Is my child growing normally? Is my child’s weight about right for their age?
Do you think my child needs to eat more, less, or the same number of calories they are currently eating?
Can I let my child get a bit hungry in between meals? Can I use hunger as a teaching tool?
Is my child a picky eater because of poor eating habits? Does my child just need to practice eating different kinds of foods?
If my child is sensitive to the taste, texture, or smell of foods, can I still go ahead and use the suggestions listed on this page?
Are any of the healthy foods on the list above not good food choices for my child?
Does my child need a special diet? Or, should I just choose regular, healthy foods for my child and teach good eating habits?
Professionals who can help include your child’s pediatrician, another pediatric health care provider, a nutritionist, a speech pathologist, or a team that includes medical and behavioral health specialists. No matter what type of eating behaviors your child shows, your goal should be the same. Eventually, your child should be eating on a schedule, eating by mouth, eating a variety of nutritious foods, and enjoy eating as part of socializing. Make sure that you consult with professionals if you are not reaching these objectives.