Sensory Feeding Challenges
in Branford & Oxford, CT

Sensory processing challenges can affect many aspects of your child’s life, but it can especially affect mealtimes. You want your child to eat a variety of nutritious foods to support their growing body, but sometimes those foods have textures or flavors that are overwhelming to their senses. Not only can this affect their physical health, but it can impact your family’s mealtimes together and lead to frustration and stress. That’s why our feeding therapists at More to Say address sensory feeding challenges to help children develop a positive relationship with food. 

What Are Sensory Feeding Challenges?

Sensory feeding challenges can happen when a child’s sensory preferences impact their eating habits and mealtime behaviors. This can manifest in different ways, such as:

  • Heightened sensitivity to food textures, tastes, or smells
  • Extreme preferences for how food is prepared or plated
  • Strong physical or emotional reactions at mealtimes

These challenges go beyond simple preference and can actually impact a child’s physical health due to a lack of enough nutrients in their diet. Sensory feeding challenges can also affect a child’s ability to socialize with their peers at birthday parties, sleepovers, or other fun events due to their extremely restrictive food intake.

What Are Sensory Feeding Challenges?

While picky eating can be a normal phase in a child’s development, it can also be a sign of underlying issues such as sensory processing challenges, delayed oral motor skills, or even a swallowing disorder. If you’re concerned about your child’s eating habits, you should reach out to their pediatrician or our expert feeding therapists for personalized guidance and support.

Common Signs of Sensory Feeding Challenges

Children with sensory feeding challenges may:

  • Refuse to eat certain textures or food groups
  • Be overly sensitive to smells or tastes
  • Have difficulty transitioning between food textures
  • Choke, gag, or even vomit during meals
  • Struggle with anxiety or tantrums at mealtimes
  • Get upset when their hands or face are messy/dirty
  • Require their own specially-prepared meals

How Pediatric Therapy Helps Children with Sensory Feeding Challenges

At More to Say, we believe that children learn best through an individualized, family-centered approach After your child’s comprehensive evaluation, our pediatric therapists will create a personalized treatment plan to address their sensory processing challenges. Through proven and play-based therapy techniques, we can help your child build the skills they need to process sensory input so they can enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods for better health and wellbeing.  

Our goal is to support your child’s growth and development through fun, engaging, and evidence-based therapy methods. We use a holistic approach to ensure your child’s treatment aligns with their needs, interests, and family life. Our distinctive therapy approach motivates children and makes them excited to participate in therapy, which is why our families love the More to Say Way!

Schedule an Evaluation Today

If your child is experiencing sensory feeding challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Give us a call at (203) 828-6790 to experience pediatric therapy the More to Say Way, and let’s work together to empower your child to live a happy, fulfilling life.

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Call (203) 828-6790

Oxford, CT Office:

Office Hours:

  • Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Branford, CT Office:

Office Hours:

  • Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
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