child eating disorder/contold

[sandy1917]

My 41/2 year old grandson,has been a picky eater since 18 months, peanut butter,yogart,watermelon are a few of the things he will eat. He is seeing a speech therapist, who says it is contol. Doctors say he will grow out of it, others say make him sit until he eats what we serve him. He won't even try new foods, and gets sick if he smells something he does not want to taste. what should we do?

[sandy1917]

Thanks for your comments. My grandson ate most baby foods, he just started this when he was 18 months he would throw the food on the floor;The as a toddler he you would put new foods on his plate,but he just would not eat it. Doc said he was health he would grow out of it. Now he will be 5 in June. I nor my daugher have not heard of of that. Today when you put new foods out he just won't try. I will mention the ideas you wrote about. Today he sees a Speach Theropist not occupaional therapist. Without sounding stupid waht is the diference? Oh by the way he does take a multi vitamin and my daughter has made the smoothies.If you looked at him you would not think he has such a eating probem. He is not below weight, its just he won't try any of the new things. He won't even it Pizza or chicken nuggets not that this would be health.
Thanks again for the feedback
Grandma in Florida

[specialmom]

Some kids are very picky eaters . . .  some have good reason to be.  Has anyone every mentioned sensory integration disorder to you?  That could affect speech and eating.  Motor planning is a big part of speech and motor planning is part of the sensory system.  This is the part of the nervous system that organizes and coordates functions of the brain.  You must organize the thought and then the motor componant must work properly to make the sounds.  Motor planning also plays a role in eating.  Chewing takes a lot of motor control.  Did he gag as a little one easily?  My son has sensory issues and is a picky eater.  Some items are hard for him to chew.  He'd rather spit it out.  The other issue with sensory and eating is tactile issues (touch)-----  certain textures are so undesirable that the food item is avoided.  Certain smells are so unpaletable, that the food is avoided.  It isn't made up, it is real.  

I don't know if your son really has sensory issues but would say there is a chance.  What to do?  Well, fighting every meal time is just not good for anyone.  Eating together should be a peaceful and enjoyable experience.  He seems to like some healthy things which is good.  So expand on it.  Add new things into the mix of what he already likes.  We do a "trying bowl" now.  I place a small bowl in front of my son with new a new food in it for him to try.  He only has to taste it------  if he likes it, he asks for more if he doesn't, he doesn't have to eat anymore.  It takes the pressure off of a big helping on their plate and the daunting task of eating it all.  So my son is willing to try things in that bowl.  He gets major praise for trying it.  We hoot and hollar at the increasing number of foods he will eat.   My son does eat almost any fruit known to man, all yogurt, cheeses, pastas, but meat is tricky for him to chew.  We are creative with meat.  Vegis are tough as well-------  he'll eat a carrot slivered into tiny tiny pieces and corn.  But he gets a pretty varied diet within what he will eat.  We work on the rest in an encouragine fashion with the hope that exposure and a posative attitude will help.  

So, don't fight with him, instead be encouraging.  Give him a multi vitamin every day.  Also, smoothies are awesome for some added nutrition.  I make a fruit smoothie with frozen strawberries, a banana, apple juice, a little suger and cinnamon and shhh  ,  cut up spinach and carrot juice.  My kids drink it like it is the best thing in the world.  I sneak all kinds of vegis into spagheti sauce, mashed potates . . . you name it.  I'm putting vegis into things.  Those garden vegi burgers are good for kids too (morning star from the frozen section).  They are thin and if you get enough ketchup on it, they gobble them up.  Anyway, be creative, have fun, and good luck.  (also -----  look up sensory integration disorder . . .  an occupational therapist  diagnosis it and does play therapy to help.  )