​

​

It's not uncommon for children diagnosed with ASD to have a limited amount of preferred foods. If you're frustrated at mealtimes or child's behaviors are escalating during this time, you may want to see someone to help you expand your child's food preferences. The first thing that needs to be done is to rule out medical issues that maybe contributing to your child's food avoidance. Talk to your pediatrician about your concerns. Perhaps there's an allergy or gastrointestinal issue. You may need to take your child to a specialist for further testing. Pay attention to your child's stool and share with the medical team. Follow your doctor's instructions. Ruling out medical complications also gives you plenty of info to share with therapists and other caregivers.

​

Let's say that all medical complications are ruled out or you received results of medical issues that make it difficult for your child to have a varied diet. Now what?  Where is the line between picky eating and a feeding disorder? The following link will help you narrow this down before moving forward to a feeding program.  Now, you can move forward to getting therapy services that will help you systematically vary your child's diet.

​

As you wait for services and before you begin a feeding program, here are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success!!

• I cannot emphasize this enough..find one time of the day that the family can sit and eat together. Traditionally, it's dinnertime but pick the time that's least hectic for you. Setting the table is a cue to eat at a specific time. If you have a toddler, have your Intensive Behavioral Services staff help you with a goal of sitting at the table for an appropriate amount of time before trying this.

• Support your child's posture. Maybe your child is receiving PT therapy to strengthen core muscles. As your PT how you can best support your child sitting at the kitchen table.

• Try to be consistent with the times you have your children sit at the table to establish a routine.

• Make food neutral. Kids with ASD know their marketing logos of foods. Take the food out of their packages and put it in a container that is not labeled.

• Let them play with their food! In a relatively controlled environment, let them touch, smell, explore food on their own terms in their own time. Let them help you in the kitchen. Maybe they can wash the vegetables and fruit.

​

75 Feeding Therapy Tips for Kids and Babies

​​

How to Track Food Exposures and Expand Food Variety for Selective Eaters

By Melanie Potock MA 

                                      

If your child is responding very well to ABA Techniques, that link will go into detail how ABA can be used to expand preferred foods.

​

Providers:

​

Advent Pediatric Therapy Services

Where: 3376 Linden Street Bethlehem, PA 18017

Call: 610-392-4339

Website

​​

Bethlehem Pediatric Therapy Services

Where: 701 West Union Ave, Unit 10, Bethlehem PA 18018

Call: (610) 625-4404

Website

​​

Good Shepherd Outpatient Feeding Therapy

Helps children with feeding, chewing and swallowing issues that may be the result of medical, physical or cognitive disorders.

Call 1-888-44-REHAB​

Website

​​​

Lehigh Valley Health Network-Pediatric Feeding Program

Identify the source of your child’s feeding issue and develop a personalized care plan that helps your child grow and thrive.

Website

​

St. Luke's Feeding Therapy

Training work with children who are having difficulty with feeding and eating. 
Website

​

Zimzum Consulting Collaboration

Services: Toilet Training & Feeding Programs. We find effective interventions that help children with delayed or severely delayed functions.

Call: 610-973-5335

Website

​