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Feeding therapy is a specialised intervention designed to support children who experience challenges with eating, drinking, or swallowing. These challenges can look like; limited food preferences, difficulties transitioning to solid foods, or aversions to certain textures and tastes. The primary goal of feeding therapy is to help children develop a positive and healthy relationship with food, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition for growth and development., and to ensure safe and enjoyable mealtimes.
Understanding Feeding Therapy: Traditional Feeding Therapy versus The Responsive Feeding Approach
Traditional feeding therapies often employ behavioural techniques aimed at increasing food intake or variety. However, these methods may not always consider a child's individual needs and can sometimes lead to increased stress or aversion to eating with limited positive outcomes in the longer term.
Responsive feeding therapy offers an alternative that emphasises building trust and honouring a child's cues of hunger and fullness. This approach is rooted in responsive parenting principles, focusing on creating a positive and supportive mealtime environment.
Key aspects include:
- Building trust: Establishing a warm, supportive relationship between the child and caregiver during mealtimes.
- Honouring cues: Paying close attention to the child's signals of hunger and satiety, allowing them to guide their eating experiences.
- Reducing pressure: Avoiding coercive tactics or pressure to eat, which can lead to negative associations with food.
By focusing on these principles, responsive feeding therapy aims to reduce mealtime stress and support a child's autonomy, leading to more positive eating behaviours over time.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices in Feeding Therapy
A neurodiversity-affirming approach recognises and respects the diverse ways children experience and interact with the world, including during mealtimes. This perspective is especially important when supporting neurodivergent children, such as those who are autistic or have ADHD, who may have unique sensory preferences or challenges related to feeding. Incorporating neurodiversity-affirming practices involves:
- Personal autonomy: Allowing children to have control over their eating experiences, respecting their choices and preferences.
- Individualised care: Tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs and strengths of each child.
- Positive mealtime environments: Creating settings that are comfortable and accommodating to the child's sensory preferences (e.g., specific seating/utensils, inclusion of ‘safe’ foods, etc.).
By embracing these practices, feeding therapy can become a supportive and empowering experience that honours a child's individuality and promotes a healthy relationship with food.
Can Feeding Therapy Support Your Child?
If your child is experiencing difficulties with eating, feeding therapy may offer valuable support. A responsive, neurodiversity-affirming approach can help address feeding challenges by focusing on trust, autonomy, and individualised care. It's essential to work with qualified professionals who understand and implement these principles to ensure that therapy supports are respectful and effective.
For families seeking support, Inner West Paediatrics offers services for children experiencing feeding difficulties. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate and individualised care to support your child's feeding journey.
In conclusion, feeding therapy, when grounded in responsive and neurodiversity-affirming practices, can be a beneficial resource for children facing eating challenges. By prioritising trust, autonomy, and individualized support, this approach fosters positive mealtime experiences and promotes a healthy relationship with food.
Want to learn more or schedule a consultation?
Reach out to Inner West Paediatrics to take the first step toward happier mealtimes and check out <a href="https://www.innerwestpaediatrics.com.au/post/what-is-feeding-therapy-and-can-it-support-my-child-part-1" style="color: green;">part 1 of this blog on our approach to feeding therapy</a>.
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