Q: What are sensory sensitivities in feeding?
A: Sensory sensitivities occur when children are overly sensitive to certain textures, tastes, smells, or appearances of food. A child may gag at lumpy textures, refuse crunchy foods, or only accept a narrow range of “safe” foods. These reactions go beyond picky eating and often cause stress for families.
Q: How do sensory sensitivities affect eating?
A: Sensory sensitivities may cause children to:
- Refuse entire food groups (e.g., all fruits or all meats)
- Stick to one texture (purees only, crunchy only)
- Gag, cough, or spit food out when trying something new
- Become anxious at the sight or smell of certain foods
- Struggle with variety, impacting nutrition and growth
Q: How do sensory-based feeding difficulties differ from picky eating?
A:
- Picky eating: Usually short-term, child eats at least one food from each food group, maintains growth.
- Sensory feeding disorder: Persistent, extreme reactions, restricted diet, frequent stress at mealtimes, and sometimes growth or weight gain issues.
Q: What causes sensory feeding issues?
A: Contributing factors include:
- Over-responsive gag reflex
- Oral hypersensitivity to textures or temperatures
- Past choking or vomiting events creating food fear
- Oral motor delays or weakness
- Neurodevelopmental differences (common in autism spectrum disorders)
- History of gastroesophageal reflux disease treatments, allergies, or medical complications
Q: How does feeding therapy help children with sensory sensitivities?
A: At BreatheWorks, feeding therapy supports children by:
- Gradual desensitization: Introducing textures step by step, building comfort and success
- Oral motor exercises: Strengthening lips, tongue, and jaw for more effective chewing
- Sensory play with food: Safe exploration without pressure to eat
- Parent coaching: Strategies for stress-free mealtimes and exposure at home
- Breathing and posture therapy: Reducing gagging and supporting nasal breathing during meals
- Interdisciplinary collaboration: Working with pediatricians, ENTs, and nutritionists for holistic care
Q: Can therapy help children expand their food variety?
A: Yes. Many children who begin therapy eating fewer than 10 foods gradually increase variety over weeks to months. The key is safe, positive exposure and consistent practice.
Q: Can adults also have sensory feeding sensitivities?
A: Yes. While more common in children, adults with sensory sensitivities may also avoid textures and experience gagging. myofunctional therapy can help retrain tolerance and reduce anxiety around food.
Q: Can feeding therapy be done virtually?
A: Yes. Our telehealth program is just as effective as in-person care. Virtual feeding therapy includes:
- Observation of meals in the home setting
- Live parent/caregiver coaching
- Real-time problem-solving with food challenges
- Progress monitoring and individualized strategies
This makes therapy accessible nationwide.
Q: Where does BreatheWorks provide care?
A: In-person feeding therapy is available in:
- Portland, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Bellevue, Washington
- Amarillo, Texas
We also provide virtual therapy across the U.S.
Quick FAQs
Is my child a picky eater or sensory-sensitive? If eating causes stress, gagging, or extreme restriction, it’s likely more than picky eating.
Can feeding therapy cure sensory issues? Therapy doesn’t “cure” sensitivities but helps children manage and expand safe eating.
How long does feeding therapy take? Progress is gradual; many children show improvement within 8–12 weeks.
Can sensory food issues affect growth? Yes—restricted diets may cause poor weight gain or nutritional deficiencies.
Next Steps
If your child struggles with food textures or extreme picky eating, feeding therapy can expand their diet and reduce stress at mealtimes.
- Schedule a feeding therapy evaluation (in-person or virtual)
- Providers: Refer a child to BreatheWorks
