Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Raising a child with selective eating habits is a common concern among many parents. By the age of two years old, 50% of children will develop selective eating habits which is a typical stage of development in young childhood. However, if a child is avoiding certain kinds of food due to sensory characteristics than skilled sensory intervention by an occupational therapy practitioner may be warranted. Research shows that children with "sensory" aversions to food between the ages of0-8 years old are more likely to develop long term selective eating patterns. Long term food aversion impacts nutritional intake which may affect overall development. A presentation was developed to educate occupational therapy practitioners about evidence based interventions, applying the coaching model for parents, and implementing sensory integrated strategies when treating children with sensory aversions to food. This presentation was conducted in front of five occupational therapists that worked in a pediatric outpatient clinic. Quantitative data was collected through a pre-survey that consisted of eight questions that were sent via email to the five pediatric occupational therapists that worked at the outpatient clinic and nine occupational therapy practitioners that worked in a pediatric home health setting. A short post questionnaire was conducted following the in-service presentation at the pediatric outpatient clinic. The results indicated that the pediatric occupational therapists demonstrated increased knowledge of sensory integrated interventions to prevent children with sensory aversions from developing long-term selective food habits.

Publication Date

4-15-2024

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