Mealtimes can be extremely stressful for parents and children especially as we navigate and integrate new textures and types of foods. This can be exacerbated when your child is a fussy eater. Whether your child is refusing certain textures, struggles with chewing, or is stuck on a very limited diet, you may be wondering if there’s more you can do to help. Typically, speech pathologists are associated with language and speech issues, however, speech pathologists also play a critical role in helping children who are fussy eaters and avoidant eaters.
Here’s how speech pathologists can help with fussy eaters:
1. Supporting oral-motor skill development
Speech pathologists assess how well the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing are working and, if needed, help your child strengthen the muscles involved in eating.
2. Helping with sensory sensitivities
Sensory sensitivities can contribute to fussy eating and can lead to food refusal/avoidance. Speech pathologists can work with parents in reducing these sensory sensitivities and preferences and eventually broaden their abilities to tolerate a wider variety of foods.
3. Investigating the impact of behavioural habits on mealtimes
Fussy eating can sometimes be related to behavioural habits. A speech pathologist can collaborate with other professionals, like psychologists, occupational therapists, dietitians and/or GPs to ensure a holistic approach and target behavioural habits impacting eating styles such as reducing anxiety around food or specific meal-related behaviours.
4. Investigating other developmental issues
Sometimes, fussy eating can be as a result of a developmental presentation or concern like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or speech and language delays. Speech pathologists can assess and investigate other underlying issues that may be contributing to fussy eating and mealtime difficulties. A speech pathologist can work with parents to create a client-centred approach that involves managing multiple areas of concerns involved in language, speech and feeding.
If you are concerned with your child’s eating skills and/or aversions, please call Box Hill Speech Pathology clinic on 03 9899 5494 or head to our website for more information regarding appointments.
References
Paediatric Feeding Insights (PFI) for Health Professionals (2024). Jillian Craig,
Feeding & Speech Therapy
By Stephanie Gribble
October 2024
Speech Pathologist
