Do you have a kid that is fussy with their vegetables? Are mealtimes a nightmare trying to find food that is nutritious but also gets even a nibble in the process? You’re not alone. Feeding challenges are common among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Often, they stem from behavioural rigidity, sensory sensitivities, and/or motor difficulties. Having a child that is difficult with food can affect their nutrition, family routines, as well as a child’s overall well-being. At Monarch House, we have on-staff professional Occupational Therapists (OT) whom can offer a compassionate and strategic approach to address these challenges. Working together with your child we can help them develop healthier, more functional feeding habits.

Here are ten ways occupational therapy at Monarch House can support children with autism in Burlington in overcoming feeding difficulties:

1. Sensory Therapy

A piece of chicken can be too hot. Yogurt can be too gooey. A Thai chicken curry might have a smell they aren’t accustomed to. There are endless reasons why your child may turn up their nose at the food you worked hard to make. This can be frustrating. However, it is true that many children with autism are sensitive to the textures, smells, and tastes of certain foods. OTs use sensory development techniques to gradually desensitize children to non-preferred sensations and introduce new foods in a controlled, non-threatening environment. This can increase a child’s tolerance for different food types.

2. Developing Oral Motor Skills

Sometimes children with autism do not develop gross and fine motor skills at the same rate as their neurotypical peers. This can lead to challenges with eating at times. Some feeding difficulties may stem from underdeveloped oral motor skills like chewing, sucking, or tongue movement. At Monarch House, our occupational therapists assess these skills and provide targeted exercises to improve muscle coordination and strength. Overall, this can make eating easier and more comfortable for your child.

3. Building Routine And Structure

Your child might prefer to do the same activity, at the same time, each day. Children with autism often thrive on predictability. OTs help create consistent mealtime routines that reduce anxiety and resistance. This includes using visual schedules, timers, or social stories to prepare the child for what to expect during meals.

4. Using Behavioural Techniques

At Monarch House, our occupational therapists work on a positive reinforcement model of behavioural therapy. Our OTs apply principles from practical behavioural science to encourage trying new foods or appropriate mealtime behaviours. For example, they might use reward systems like stickers or screen time, or simply praise, to reinforce small successes.

5. Creating a Positive Mealtime Environment

We like to work together with the families of the children involved to get everyone involved, including siblings, extended family, and even grandparents. Our therapists work with this big team to adjust the environment for your child. We look for things such as reducing noise, controlling lighting, and minimizing distractions. Overall, the plan is to create a calm and positive atmosphere conducive to your child eating.

6. Improving Fine Motor Skills For Self-Feeding

We like to take a look at your menu and ingredient lists to get an idea of what exactly the issue is with the food that is being presented. We can offer some suggestions. We also look at the setting, if possible, or you can bring in a photo or sample of the cups, bowls, plates, forks, etc. being used. Some feeding issues stem not from the food itself, but from difficulty using utensils or handling cups. Our OTs work on issues such as fine motor control and coordination to help your child become more independent with self-feeding.

7. Family And Caregiver Training

It can be stressful fighting with a child each mealtime just to get them to do something that is healthy for themselves. So it isn’t just the child that needs therapy, it’s YOU as well. At  Monarch House, our OT isn’t just for the child—it also involves educating and supporting parents and caregivers. Our therapists teach strategies that families can use at home to reinforce progress, reduce stress, and make mealtimes more enjoyable for everyone involved. 

8. Gradual Food Exposure Techniques

Sample spoons at ice cream parlours are a fantastic idea when it comes to getting your child to try something new. Encourage them to try a small sample of something instead of presenting a whole portion at once. At Monarch House, instead of pressuring children to eat new foods, our OTs encourage step-by-step exposure methods (like the SOS Approach to Feeding). In this way we are able to introduce new items slowly—from touching and smelling to eventually tasting and eating.

9. Addressing Postural Control

Something as simple as the way your child is sitting and positioning themselves at the table can make a difference in how enjoyable and productive their mealtime is. Poor posture or low muscle tone can make sitting at a table difficult and tiring. OTs assess seating and body positioning and may recommend adaptive equipment to ensure proper support during meals.

10. Supporting Emotional Regulation

Do mealtimes sometimes turn into angry fits and hysterics? It’s not uncommon for the pressure of getting your child to try something you worked hard to prepare erupts into an unpleasant experience. The whole process of feeding can be emotionally overwhelming for children with autism. At Monarch House, our occupational therapists help children develop coping skills to manage frustration, anxiety, or sensory overload during meals.

If you have come to dread the whole ordeal that comes with mealtimes with your child, there is help available. At Monarch House, we understand that feeding challenges are complex, but with the right strategies and support, progress is possible. Our professional occupational therapists offer a compassionate, child-centered approach that goes beyond just “eating the food.” We address the whole child and look at the process in its entirety. It’s all about supporting their growth, confidence, and relationship with food.At Monarch House we have a professional, interdisciplinary staff of occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists that are here to help. If your child with autism in Burlington is experiencing feeding difficulties, consider reaching out to a pediatric occupational therapist for an evaluation and individualized support plan