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Do you ever feel frustrated when your child constantly rejects the food you prepare? Or maybe you find yourself wondering why your child is so particular about what they eat? For some children, this behavior might stem from specific conditions like ARFID or sensory processing issues. Understanding the root causes of picky eating can help in finding effective strategies to address it and make mealtimes more enjoyable for everyone.

Today, we’ll address a common topic I discuss with parents in our Brain Behavior Reset Program: picky eaters. We'll explore more about how to better manage picky eating, particularly in children with ARFID who have restrictive eating habits.

Picky eating and sensory techniques for kids with ARFID.

Sensory issues are often a major factor in why kids become restrictive eaters. This can be due to various reasons like how we start feeding our kids, their taste buds, sensory processing issues, or even nutrient deficiencies driving certain food cravings. More often than not, when a child prefers to eat only specific foods, the family falls into the pattern of feeding the child the same limited options. This can inadvertently reinforce the picky eating habits and make it more challenging to introduce new foods.

For some children, particularly those with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), this reality must be acknowledged. Many children with ARFID experience sensory processing issues, making the implementation of sensory techniques essential. In our Calm Brain community and Self-Regulation Mastery Blueprint, we provide a sensory diet along with various ready-to-use techniques. These strategies are straightforward and practical, including how-tos and roleplays to assist you in discussing sensory issues with your child.

Sensory techniques for picky eaters, including oral desensitization methods.

When the nervous system becomes dysregulated due to sensory processing issues, it means your child is either under or overstimulated by sensory input. This could be triggered by sounds like a toilet flushing, sudden noises, touch, fabric, socks, or clothing. A dysregulated nervous system can lead to behaviors such as difficulty focusing, slow processing, forgetfulness, or overstimulation, which may manifest as anger, irritation, or intense emotions.

My number one hack for dealing with picky eaters is to incorporate sensory support. You might think it has nothing to do with food, but it actually has everything to do with it. Children with conditions like ADHD, OCD, autism, anxiety, or PANS/PANDAS often become restrictive in their food choices due to sensory issues, such as craving specific textures or tastes. That’s why implementing sensory regulation activities, guided by an occupational therapist (OT), can be incredibly effective. OTs are licensed professionals who specialize in sensory support.

For instance, sensory techniques can include determining if your child craves proprioceptive feedback (deep pressure) or visual stimulation. Monitoring your child's behavior closely can offer valuable insights into their sensory preferences and needs. Pay attention to how they respond to different sensory inputs, as this can reveal important clues about what they find soothing or overstimulating.

By observing these patterns, you can better understand what types of sensory regulation techniques may be most effective in helping your child manage their picky eating habits.

For oral desensitization, one effective technique is using an electric toothbrush. You can use it in two ways: either brush without toothpaste before meals for 5-20 minutes or gently massage the face with the handle side for 1-2 minutes on each side. This helps reduce resistance to textures and tastes. Additionally, tailor food textures to your child's preferences, such as using crunchy gluten-free panko for chicken.

Help your child thrive and empower your parenting journey with our Self-Regulation Mastery Blueprint + Calm Brain Community: https://drroseann.com/selfregmastery

For more information about picky eating, check this out: https://drroseann.com/the-psychology-of-picky-eaters/

Links and Resources:

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Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is a licensed therapist, certified school psychologist, and leading expert in emotional dysregulation in children. With over 30 years of experience, she helps parents understand the root causes of meltdowns, anxiety, ADHD, and challenging behavior through the lens of nervous system regulation. Dr. Roseann teaches practical, science-backed strategies for co-regulation and how to calm a dysregulated child using her Regulation First Parenting™ approach. She is the host of the Dysregulated Kids Podcast and author of The Dysregulated Kid.

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge
Emotional Dysregulation in Children & Nervous System Expert
Regulation First Parenting™ | CALMS Protocol™
Host of the Dysregulated Kids Podcast (Top 1% Globally)
Author of The Dysregulated Kid