Happy Monday & Happy Better Hearing & Speech Month :) Today, one of my kiddos ate several pieces of new foods that he rejected a couple of days prior. This handsome little fella is on the Autism Spectrum, and a year ago lost interest in oral feeding (besides Pediasure), following a traumatic choking event. Although he still does not chew (work in progress), today during our routine lunch session, I had an epiphany to break the samples into smaller pieces…no bigger than crumb-like sizes…and viola…he ate almost all of it!! As you can imagine…mom and I were extremely elated!!! After weeks of implementing various strategies from Kay Toomey's amazing and effective Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding, collaborating with his other EI providers (ABA, OT), I had to really think and pull all my tricks together, also keeping this child's individual likes and dislikes, challenges, strengths, etc. in mind to solve the sometimes frustrating and confusing puzzle that is feeding behaviors and aversion to oral feeding. Although we still have a long way to go, this is a start and huge victory. I also wanted to encourage other providers and families to be patient, keep pushing, and reach deep down and pull out all of your tricks and strategies when nothing else is working. Have a great week!! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment