Child gags easily

[peggyba]

My 5 year old son cannot look at others plates while eating.  He gags daily during lunch with other children, often throwing up 2-3 times a week.  If he sees peanut butter on another child's shirt, a piece of wet bread in the dish water, crumbs in a child's cup from dipping their cookies or crackers, or even his own plate at the end of a meal - he begins to gag.  He is otherwise a happy, outgoing child.  I suggest to him to take deep breathes and count to 10 - but the only thing that really helps is for him to leave the room.  He is currently in a home preschool/kindergarten setting, but I am worried about him attending first grade in the fall when he won't we able to easily head for a bathroom or out of the lunch room.

[4bmom]

I would see if your child may be suffering from sensory integration dysfunction. I have 2 children who had the same type of gag reflex to certain odors as well as textures and the sight of some things. It is usually dealt with through occupational therapy. Best of luck to you.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

If leaving the room is what helps him, that's fine. Fall is a long way off, and I'd be surprised if you continue to see this behavior at that time. Don't alter his routine in any way, but rather deal with this idiosynracy in a matter-of-fact manner.