Feeding Therapy -> Sensory

Sensory

Sensory therapy addresses the processing, visual, and motor challenges apparent in individuals requiring feeding therapy. Therapy strategies address tolerating, interacting, touching, smelling, tasting, chewing, and swallowing non-preferred foods.

Minor focus areas

Skilled interventions

  • Responsive Feeding Therapy

    Responsive Feeding Therapy (RFT) is an overarching approach to feeding and eating interventions which facilitates the (re)discovery of internal cues, curiosity, and motivation, while building skills and confidence. It is flexible, prioritizes the feeding relationship, and respects and develops autonomy (Rowell et al., 2020). The RFT approach and respective values build on a body of research from the field of pediatric feeding and related areas of study. This includes, but is not limited to, responsive parenting (Black & Aboud, 2011), humanistic psychology (Davies et al., 2006), attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology (Walton et al., 2017), theories of development (Slaughter & Bryant, 2004), self-determination theory (Cormack et al., 2020), and trauma physiology (Galloway et al., 2006). A comprehensive history and physical exam (with further testing as indicated) must be undertaken to rule out or identify underlying anatomical, GI, metabolic, and other factors that impact eating and digestion. In cases where medical interventions are necessary (such as enteral feeding or IV hydration) the RFT values can still guide individualized treatment. RFT has three core goals, which both drive clinical decision making, and result from the application of the RFT values. 1) To prioritize felt safety and nervous system regulation: RFT centers the child’s embodied experience of interoception, emotions, and nervous system regulation within the complex interconnectedness of mind and body. Felt safety refers to an unconscious sense of being secure, where the body’s threat system is not activated. Felt safety is health-promoting in and of itself; a child in felt safety experiences optimal physiology in regards to digestion and gut function, the cardiovascular system, hormones, and immune function. In felt safety, appetite, capacity for relationships, and curiosity can emerge. Parents are supported to observe the child and provide co-regulation, which supports emotional and physical self-regulatory capabilities over time. 2) To support and optimize children’s relationship with food and their bodies: Research in adults suggests that internally (versus externally) guided eating results in many positive outcomes. RFT is held to optimize self-regulation of energy intake to the best of each individual’s ability (considering barriers to interoception), via a supportive and accommodating feeding environment. 3) To provide individualized care: When autonomy, relationship, competence, intrinsic motivation, and holism are applied in concert, the resulting values-driven treatment framework is, by its very nature, highly individualized. Such individualized care is a defining characteristic of RFT, in contrast to a manualized approach.

Reference links

  • Pediatric Sensory-Based Feeding Difficulties - Conditions and Treatments 0
    childrensnational.org
    Author: Children's National Hospital - Patients who present as picky eaters or only accept limited varieties of foods or liquids may have sensory-based feeding difficulties. Learn more about sensory-based feeding difficulties in children.
  • Feeding Therapy (and Picky Eating) 1
    sensory-kids.com
    Author: Sensory Kids - There are many reasons why a child can have difficulty with feeding. At Sensory Kids we look at the whole picture, taking in your child’s unique needs and strengths and your family routines and priorities to help develop a comprehensive approach to mealtime and eating. What is Feeding Therapy? Feeding and the act of eating … Continue reading Feeding Therapy (and Picky Eating)
  • A Little PEP Goes a Long Way In the Treatment of Pediatric Feeding Disorders 2
    pubs.asha.org
    Author: Teresa Boggs and Neina Ferguson - Feeding disorder in young children is a growing concern, particularly feeding challenges with sensory and/or behavioral underpinning. These feeding disorders are characterized by food refusal, anxiety when presented with novel foods, failure to advance to textured foods, and inappropriate mealtime behaviors. The Positive Eating Program (PEP) was developed to remediate feeding disorders by providing rich experiences in food vocabulary, positive sensory nonfood and food activities, and structured and predictable through trials

Activity List(s)

Visual Schedule Cards

Related Disorder(s)

  • Feeding disorders - A feeding disorder, in infancy or early childhood, is a child's refusal to eat certain food groups, textures, solids or liquids for a period of at least one month, which causes the child to not gain enough weight, grow naturally or cause any developmental delays.
  • Neurological Conditions - Types of neurological conditions may include: Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementias, Brain Cancer, Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders, Mental Disorders, Parkinson’s and Other Movement Disorders, and Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).
  • Sensory processing disorders - Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.

Goal Bank

  • Erica will participate in moderate-challenging non-food sensory activities with minimal resistance given minimal support over a 1 period. 0
  • Max will decrease sensitivity to oral and non-oral sensory input over a period of 3 months. 0
  • Bryan will increase food acceptance to include a variety of textures and consistencies through participation in food tries across a 3 month period. 2
  • Sarah will participate in easy-moderate food sensory activities with minimal resistance given minimal support over a 1 period. 0
  • Jane will make gains on the food hierarchy to increase food-inventory over a 3 -month period. 1
  • Bryson will participate in structured food tries to increase novel food acceptance to include a variety of textures and consistencies when presented in new locations across a 3 month period. 1
  • Jane will increase food inventory by 2 foods to improve nutrition over a 6 week therapy period. 1
  • Marley will increase food awareness of food types through participating in food related activities across a 3 month period. 2