Food issues

My boy has such a restrictive diet and I have been mulling over ways on how to deal with this issue.


I happened to read this post from the Horizons Develpmental Resource Centre, called Picky Eater or Problem Feeder. They mentioned that "Kay Toomey and associates developed the Sensory-Oral-Sequential Approach to Feeding (SOS) which is the preferred treatment methodology for picky eaters and problem feeders alike". Aha, I thought..... this looks interesting, this looks like it could help my boy. My gut (pun intended!!) feel is that Nick's food issues all stem from his sensory profile. 


So, I googled Kay Toomey and the Sensory-Oral-Sequential Approach to Feeding (SOS).


I was absolutely gobsmacked (yes, pun intended!!) when I saw the google links for SOS! The third link was for Jacob's Journey: SOS feeding program!!!! Hah, Havest Moon......... this was definitely *THE* sign that I was on the right track. I have been following this amazing mother for YEARS!


Harvest Moon ~ Jacobs Journey
"The program is called the SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) approach, and a concise description of it (and why it would be used) can be found here. Basically, it takes the understanding that these kids' feeding problems are based on sensory issues, and works on slowly desensitizing them to the overwhelming effect that food has on their senses. In a nutshell, you start by getting them to tolerate being near food, then progress to getting them to touch it, smell it, and eventually taste it. From looking at it to taste is a pretty long road, taken at micro-steps, but in the end should result in a child without an eating disorder, and without any trauma induced by the method"


Me thinks that this is the way I need to go........

~*~

9 comments:

  1. funnily enough that was the basis of the long outdated Doman Delcato method to sensory issues, We used it quite successfully with a boy with some extreme smell behaviours and eating issues. All the best!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very interesting Di, I have a range of food-related issues here, and it's my daughter with cerebral palsy who I think has the most sensory issues, then my NT dd who doesn't like the texture of fruit of all things. In relation to my son with aspergers, I think a lot of his food refusal is about control (and I think it was in case when I was a little girl) so I just relax about it so that he doesn't 'win'. It sounds like this technique would help a lot of children on the spectrum though x

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Mischal ~ To me, the approach sounds very gentle and slow moving, which suits us perfectly. I am sure that I won't have anything to report for a long time!!! :) x

    @Blue Sky ~ Crumbs, and I only have one kid to worry about! How do you manage with three? I also want to be relaxed about introducing new food to Nick so we are going to take it slowly! x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Totally agree that it's sensory. I always felt that with my boy and wish all this info was available when he was younger and I was beside myself with worry over his fussy eating. He was so skinny and self- limited to a ridiculous degree! I also feel that all their other issues...anxiety, lack of language etc;...has an impact. Over the years, as all the interventions began to work he was more open to my 'try it and see' approach. It's funny 'cos not having any info to help me I hit on this approach and went slowly from getting him sniffing,licking then finally tasting! One spoonful, or sniff, was rewarded with an enormous amount of praise!! Today my boy will try most foods. He even *shock horror* tolerates a couple of bites of an apple...with the skin on!!

    Never give up ;-)

    xx Jazzy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jazzy, I guess it is all common sense really! I am glad that your son is fine to try most foods.. that makes life so much easier! Apples are the one fruit that Nick will eat.. with the skin off! :)
      Have a lovely Sunday. xx

      Delete
  5. Its amazing when things seem to fall into place. We have struggled with food for such a long time....I hope this works and will be interested to see what happens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lizbeth, food issues seem to be a common problem with our kids!!! I think this is going to be a slow story! :D
      Thanks for taking the time to comment.

      Delete
  6. I must check this out. My little boy's diet is severely limited. I'll be intrigued to know about your boy's progress XXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jean, at this stage I have a feeling that progress is going to take months rather than days!!! Let me know how you get on! x

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment. x