Texture Problems

by Hayley Conklin
(Indiana)

Hello, my son is almost three years old, he will not eat anything other than baby food (limited kinds) and some crunchy foods( very limited). Anything else will make him gag or throw up if it just gets near him or in his mouth.




He has had an OT for a year with zero progress and is actually getting worse. When I have him pick up a food (like chicken) he will vomit, or even when I put food in front of him he gags; yet everything else is completely normal about him ( even above average).

Is this the kind of stuff you all are talking about? If so can I only keep working with him or might there be a more effective way? Is it more than just a texture issue? If so what kind of doctor could I talk to about this problem?



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Aug 06, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		8 year old aversion to fruit
by: Anonymous

Hi - my 8 year old has an aversion to fruit and I am concerned because she is going to be challenged with her weight which is already happening.

When she wants a snack, she will gravitate toward carbohydrates. She claims to like veggies (only green ones) but does not eat enough servings in one day. She says that the fruit feels weird to her in her mouth. I was able to get her to eat some watermelon but she was reluctant. I tried an apple the other day and she freaked out and would not touch it.

Is this a sensory issue? Should I seek help with a therapist?

I know that she will eat a fruit smoothie but made only with a certain brand of blueberries and yogurt.

Please help!
Apr 07, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Same story ...almost!
by: Anonymous

My nephew now four years old sounds so much like all of these children! He, however, was found to be "tongue tied" when he was two and a half. His tongue was so restricted that it actually popped up once it was surgically released!

Prior to the surgery he wasn't able to talk or eat anything except yogurt and baby food fruit. He drank from a bottle jut fine and once progressed to a cup he did "ok"

It was his speech therapist that suggested he be evaluated by an ear, nose and throat physician...he had already had his tonsils out in hopes that having his enlarged tonsils removed would help his gagging and eating issues and his tongue issue had not been detected at that time!

Since having his tongue released he has not stopped talking and has made such progress in meeting all goals except eating! He will only eat yogurt, baby food fruit, oatmeal and maybe mac and cheese. He continues to receive therapy for his texture issues but I can't help but wonder if gagging for the first couple of years hasn't played a huge part in his unwillingness to even try different foods.

His doctor assures his mom that he is ok but I worry because he is so vert thin and I know he isn't getting the nutrients needed in the early years! He too shows signs of OCD behavior as well. I wish I could figure out how to help him and what the roots of this issue are!!
Jan 24, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Hope this helps
by: Anonymous

I really hope this helps I'm almost twenty and I and my Aunt who is around forty have this Issue with food I can't eat anything that I deem 'slimy' onions seafood several fruit moist chicken even milk lemonade and orange juice (with pulp) I've found out several ways for me to deal with it and maybe they'll help you?

When I have to eat 'slimy' foods I eat peanut butter with them normally before I take a bite the peanut butter makes it less slimy and more tolerable and also adds a bit of a barrier. as for chicken and other meats I cook my own meat longer than my family's sometimes almost burning it then i wait for it to cool this reduces the moisture and makes it much easier to eat or you could bread the meat giving it a crunchy texture instead.

now drinks are the hardest when I have to drink something I have issues with I either add something to it or eat something to counter it preferably something that won't change textures when wet (that is a nightmare) other than that I dont got much advice on drinks these other added tips are courtesy of my Aunt

if you have problems with white bread try switching to wheat bread or vice versa if bread tastes bitter or sour to you try toasting it and adding something (butter sugar jam)
ps: sorry about the terrible English
Nov 16, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		But what about adults?
by: Anonymous

I am an adult,and have this problem.
I can't say the word "popcicle" without gagging and going into a full on fit.
Corn dogs with sticks...
Nope.
But I'm totally ok with other wood products,
Could this be something else?
Jan 17, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		dealing with the same issues
by: Anonymous

i wanted to let the other moms know this is very common lately. i am taking care of a 2 year old foster child. He has been in my home since 2 months. He has extreme sensory issues to light, sound, touch, taste, and even smells. We have overcome alot of the issues with keeping calm and reassuring it will not give a boo boo. I exposed him to many sounds,smells and touching things. It is a long process. example: It took until after his 1st birthday until i could get him to sit in water for a bath without holding on to me for dear life. keep introducing slowing different textures. When I go to the grocery store. have him smell a lemon, touch a pinapple, rug a canalope. sounds funny but it did help and the looks i got from other people shopping---priceless.

My problem is eating. I have tried everything including feeding therapy. I can not get him to eat any textured food. he gags, vomits, or spits it out. he will only eat stage 2,2 1/2, and stage 3 fruits of baby food. He drinks a milk that increase calories. Also Duocal powder to increase calories. I have tried the distraction, letting him play with it, separated plates. I even have the baby bullet. He can taste the difference. I will say this i know it will take time.
I think my best advise is to be patient and keep trying. I have come a far way with the other sensory issues... this is just taking a little longer. And please don't forget to get some help. It helps to have a therapist is come up with some ideas, hear your concerns, and relieve some of the stress you are feeling.
good luck to everyone!
Feb 11, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		texture probs
by: Anonymous

My now almost 7 year old did not eat solid food until 1 year. Even then, he would often store it in his cheek, and gagged often - he would not tolerate soft foods - so NO baby food or anything mushy. (Hard when you hardly have teeth!).
He now is VERY picky, but at least has enough foods that he gets a moderate amount of nutrition, but I don't sweat it.

I had a neighbor whose pediatrician suggested she let her daughter watch TV while eating, and this greatly helped mine (when he was a bit older) to eat - otherwise he'd lose interest and walk away. Now he tends to come and go from the table.
I've not been diligent AT ALL at introducing new foods. We have a friend who is now 16 who would ONLY eat beige foods for the first 8-10 years of her life, who will now eat most anything. I'm holding out hope with this anecdotal evidence.
Sep 08, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Reply
by: Hayley ( mom)

Oh my gosh you're son is exactly like mine. I found someone else online too that has the exact same problem but I am having trouble contacting her. My son is three now, and we are going to Riley's Children Hospital next month because a doctor wants to see him. Is your son able to touch foods? Mine will throw up after he touches it or gag very badly. He is very OCD also though, he lines things up or keep them in an order, does not like being dirty, or even wearing certain clothes.Has your son progressed at all? Brayden has kind of been like this since birth it took him a while before he could even eat the rice cereal. He is getting tired of baby food, which I dont blame him, so I just have been making him sit and eat by bribing. I have researched so much and can not find anything quite like this. Have you ever had someone tell you exactly what was wrong? If that doctor has anything new to say about it I will let you know.
Sep 02, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Our sons sound exactly the same
by: Lisa

I hope you still check back on this, because my son sounds identical to yours. He is only 18 months but still only eats baby food (and only 5-6 different flavors of baby food, definitely not applesauce or he throws up!), plus 3 other solid foods--graham crackers, animal crackers, and cheerios on occasion. We've been seeing a speech therapist for feeding treatments for 5 months with no progress. She's always trying to get me to try other foods that are baby food like consistency (yogurt, oatmeal, etc.) but every time I convince him to take a bite he immediately throws up, so I feel like he has a terrible association with trying new foods. He throws up at least 3-4 times a week for one reason or another, and it's so so difficult! Lately I feel like he's getting so tired of the baby food and has started refusing it as well, so he's hardly eating anything. We're having him evaluated for OT this week, which I know he needs. He's super OCD and can't have anything be dirty or freaks out if he sees a dirty plate or dish anywhere. It's nice to know there are others out there dealing with the same thing...
Aug 21, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		reply
by: Mom

I wish he would eat anything at all but he won't. Only baby food. I've gotten him to spoon feed himself and all of that; and it does make it easier to let him watch T.V. to distract him. I gave him applesauce the other day mixed in with his baby food and he threw up a massive amount. I think the only thing I can do is go see a specialized doctor and videotape what he does. Are any of your alls kids OCD? He seems to be.Do they have other health issues other than eating problems?Thanks for your alls tips I will try to incorporate alot of them.
Aug 09, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Let them eat cake!
by: Anonymous

Don't buy into the "must try X# of new foods per week/day/month". Find out what your child will eat and let them eat as much as they want. Single textures..applesauce, noodles, plain bread, cream of wheat, ice cream, yogurt without fruit, puree in blender if you have to. Let them drink whatever they need to swallow...milk, juice or flavored water...cut, chop, dice and mince to small uniform sizes. Let them WATCH TV while eating, read a favorite book, anything to keep their mind off of vomiting. My son with SPD is 13, diagnosed at age 2. I spoon fed him until age 5. Still does not eat meat of any kind. Don't worry, they will not GROW out of it and all the OT's in the world will not change their SPD. You are NOT a bad parent. Good Luck to all.
Aug 05, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Reply
by: Anonymous

I have tried letting him pick his foods out and he will not, or he will and then wont eat eat. I have no idea how to fix this problem.

The OT let me sit in on sessions so I know that was not the problem.

I have tried letting him touch food and he will throw up after a few times. I have tried soup and he will gag until he throws up. I can not consistently work with him because I am afraid so many times throwing up might hurt him.

If anyone else would like to add their advice it would be greatly appreciated.
Jul 22, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		regarding aversion to food
by: Anonymous

I too have a 6 & 8 year old with SPD. Meal time has been so rough for us. Everyone has given great advise. I was wondering if you have ever had your son tested for food allergies or checked out for any type of reflux issues. It definitely sounds like SPD, but I was wondering if there might be something else going on along with the SPD?
Hand in there.
Jul 20, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Check out these products
by: Anonymous

My daughter has some of these same issues - she suffers greatly from SPD.

I also have used different tactics of letting her pick something she does want to eat if she eats some of the stuff I put in front of her. I have also become creative in my cooking :) I would ask what they like and see if you can use that to your advantage. If you figure something out, I would be curious to hear more about it!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!
Jul 19, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Texture problems
by: Anonymous

Does the OT allow you to sit in on sessions. My son has many of the same issues as your son. The first OT we went to I did not get to sit in on sessions as it was done in a group and there really wasn't enough room for everyone plus the parents. He made very little progress. I started with a new OT, sessions were one on one and I was encouraged to sit in on the sessions. I think in a way the sessions where more for me than for him. I learned so much and the OT, I watched everything she did with him. It was so much easier to carry over to home the things I observed and was able to ask questions about immediately if I did not understand. My son made some progress with this OT. He still is quite picky but my goal was for him to add two breakfast foods and two dinner foods. So at least we can alternate. He still eats very little, no vegetables and only two fruits. I give him Carnation instant breakfast, and daily vitamins and Omega-3 also. As he has gotten older he seems to be slightly more willing to try new foods. Also, the doctor suggested cutting out juice all together and just letting him have milk or water, this helps a little bit with his appetite. (not much but every little bit helps).

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