S.O.S (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding

 Sometimes, discerning the difference between a “picky eater” and a problem feeder can be difficult. Determining whether or not your child is even a “picky eater” to begin with isn’t necessarily simple.

It could just be a hiccup in their developing tastes, or a little phase they’re going through. But if your child is a picky eater or a problem feeder, they will likely require support to learn how to eat a more varied diet.  If you’re concerned about a potentially “picky eater” in your life, read these common questions and learn whether SOS Approach to Feeding can help your child.

Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders

1. If you were to make a list of all of the foods that your child eats, how many foods would be on that list?

2. Does your child eat the same food over and over, then suddenly stop eating that food (Food Jag)? Will they accept that food again at some point in the future, or is that food typically lost?

3. What happens if you put a new food on their plate?

4. Do they eat at least one food from most nutrition (proteins, vegetables, etc.) and texture (purees, soft foods, chewy foods, etc.) categories?

5. What does their plate look like at meals compared to the rest of the family’s?

6. How hard is it for them to learn about new foods?

Discover the differences between Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders with the Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders Questionnaire.

 The SOS Feeding approach focuses on systematic desensitisation which breaks down each part of the eating process into steps: Tolerates, Interacts With, Smells, Touches, Tastes and then finally Eats.  Each one of those steps is then broken down again so that every tiny progression is mastered before moving forward. You might be surprised to know that there are 32 steps to eating!  Children receive positive reinforcement for every level of food interaction.