How do you know if your child is a picky eater or needs feeding therapy?Have mealtimes turned into a battleground at your house? Many kids go through a "picky eater stage" between the ages of 2 and 4. This is a very normal part of development. Typically children are trying to learn about their environment and finding ways to exert control. Picking what they will eat is an easy way to gain control! Sometimes kids won't grow out of this phase, or end up with a very limited diet. Then its time to get help from a feeding therapist (typically an occupational or speech therapist). I have treated kids with feeding delays for the last 10 years. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the earlier you get started with feeding therapy the quicker the progress. There are a lot of different reasons kids might be picky. The best thing to do is see a specialist who can help you sort it out. There are lots of strategies to help picky eaters move through this phase quickly. There are also lots of resources and strategies to help problem feeders turn into happy eaters! Here are some important questions to ask that will help distinguish the difference between a picky eater and a problem feeder:
If you have questions or want additional resources reach out to Dr. Kristen at 402-413-1356 or kristen@connectpediatrictherapy.com
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Going back to school looks a lot different this year. Many kids that would traditionally be heading back to school are instead doing remote learning. In order for them to be as successful as possible it is important to set up their space to support his/her learning. Here are some helpful hints to think about.
![]() As many kids are headed back to school they will have one additional accessory this year; a mask. This is an essential piece of their wardrobe in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. This is a polarizing issue and people feel strongly about whether kids should or should not head back into classrooms. I hold respect for people on both sides of this issue and respect that everyone needs to make the best decision for them. My kids will be headed back to the classroom. For our family, the educational and psychological benefits of being in a classroom with a teacher outweigh the risks of exposure. This blog isn't about convincing anyone, but instead serves as a resource to help parents teach children to wear a mask. This virus is not going away anytime soon-so most likely no matter whether your children are headed back to the classroom or not; they need to learn to wear a mask. Wearing a mask for several hours can create sensory challenges. Breathing is different, glasses fog up, the texture of the mask makes a difference, the mask "smells". Whether your child has sensory processing difficulties or not, they need you to help them learn to wear the mask. Here are some tips to help ease the transition. 1. Practice now
"buy in" and wear the mask Have a great school year whether your child goes to school, home schools, or does remote learning....we wish you the best! Let us know what other fun ideas you have for helping kids wear masks. |
AuthorDr. Kristen has worked as a pediatric OT for 17 years. Her background is NICU, outpatient practice and school based practice. She owns a pediatric therapy clinic in Lincoln Nebraska. Archives
October 2020
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