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Thirty years ago, this would not have been a popular topic.\u00a0 Children ate what was provided, like it or not.\u00a0 Sometimes parents would spare the child and leave the offending objects off of the plate.\u00a0 More often than not, children over the age of four were expected to eat what everyone else was eating. Fast forward to 2022.\u00a0 There has been a huge rise in allergens, picky eaters, and problem feeders, and this has become the forefront of many therapy sessions and referrals.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Why?\u00a0 Some of the change is due to parenting expectations, electronics, processed foods, and \u201cfree will\u201d.\u00a0 There has been a marked rise in sensitivities\/allergens to certain foods.\u00a0 This goes hand in hand with the rise of anxiety, illness, ADHD, autism, and poor immune response.\u00a0 Children are just not as hearty as they were 20-30 years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n It is not productive to get stuck in the \u201cwhy\u201d, but move forward to \u201cwhat can I do about this\u201d.\u00a0 I am not just an experienced feeding therapist, I too had two picky eaters who survived on 3-4 different foods in their second and third year of development.\u00a0 In order to help my daughters, I had to remove my parenting\/worry\/anxiety\/they are starving hat, and put on my therapist hat.\u00a0 I am happy to report they are thriving adults who eat a huge variety of foods!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n If you have a problem feeder, seek treatment from a therapist who is certified or has attended classes in feeding therapy.\u00a0 There is a lot that can go wrong working with problem feeders.\u00a0 The Sequential Oral Sensory course, Beckmann Oral Motor Therapy, and Mealtime Miseries are popular courses.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For more information on this topic, Summit is offering my webinar on Sensory-Based Feeding Strategies<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 I have also published a helpful resource book for different environments that may be impacting the eating habits of your child\/clients, including the cafeteria, kitchen, restaurants, and more.\u00a0 Click here<\/strong><\/a> to check it out on Amazon.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Feeding and toileting are two of the most frustrating, anxiety producing stages of childhood. Children start to exert their free will at this stage and can no longer be forced to do certain things. Encourage parents, educate yourself on this topic, and spread the word, so problem feeding does not continue to rise along with other scary diagnoses.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Explore online continuing education courses from Victoria below:<\/p>\n Canine Assisted Therapy<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Sensory-Based Feeding Strategies<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Sensory Processing Disorder in Adults<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Sensory Diets Effective Creation and Implementation<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Screen Time and Autism<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogcontent.summit-education.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/VW-Food.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Picky Eating<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
Problem Feeding<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/a>What is the big deal?\u00a0 The picky eater will survive.\u00a0 They are likely to consume at least one meat, fruit, and vegetable and a bunch of carbs.\u00a0 Continue to put out expected foods on the plate and encourage tasting of new foods.\u00a0 The problem feeder on the other hand, is not consuming enough calories, or getting the right nutrition.\u00a0 A person surviving on four foods, often gets tired of one of them, eating only three foods now.\u00a0 This is more of a dire situation and the treatment is complicated.<\/p>\n