Anyone ever take their kid for food therapy?

shouldbworkin

My 4 y/o has food aversions and lately he's been elminating more foods than he's been adding.  I thought we were doing ok for awhile, he was slowly adding foods to his regular "menu."  but, lately he's barely eating at school and this worries me for when he goes to kindergarten next year.  He won't eat any of his old standbys for lunch anymore, which is very frustrating.  He also has food allergies, so it can be quite a challenge at times.

Just wondering if anyone has ever taking their child for something like this and if it helped. 

JOEBunny

I have not taken DD for "food therapy", but we have gone numerous times as a family to nutritionist.  I found that the ones through GI doctors where most helpful, since they tend to see a lot of autistic, food averse patients, instead of endocrin, where they focus on diabetic, over eater types more commonly.  I think it can be helpful. 

shouldbworkin

Oh yes, I bet a GI specialist would be more versed in this area.  I have heard that kids with reflux have a lot of aversions as well.  Same for kids that had EIs as babies (like my DS). 

LinzDavid

I haven't, but I wonder if it may come to this with my ds.  I hope you get some information.  I know how frustrating it is.  Good luck and keep us posted if you do this.  I'd love to hear your experience.

nettie

I have a friend who took her daughter and she said it has helped a great deal.

kirbear

A lot of my students have had feeding therapy either through OT or SLP and if the carry over was there at home, they made gains.  Is he picky about the texture or foods or more of the visual piece of just won't try something new?

LoveYou

A usual lurker popping in

Yes, I have been taking my DS (2yrs 4 months) to feeding therapy at Childrens Hospital for almost a year.  It was recommended by his pediatrician because he was such a picky eater that it was affecting his ability to gain weight.  I was very skeptical when we first started going there but they have really proved me wrong.  There has been a huge change in his menu and he has gained almost 5 pounds since we started going there last March.  All in all, I would definitely recommend the Childrens Hospital program - not sure if you have one near you, but we go to the one in Richmond VA.

I am usually hanging around the parenting board, so let me know if you have any more questions. 

shouldbworkin

kirbear:

  Is he picky about the texture or foods or more of the visual piece of just won't try something new?

Both, he doesn't like different textures or sensations, like cold foods.  And, he won't touch something if it looks funny to him or has a spot on it.