Feeding evaluation

[lauranicole91]

We just finished up with Peyton's feeding evaluation with the speech therapist.

We have an official diagnosis of food aversion due to sensory issues. She is hyposensitive and can't feel when she is hungry or full as easily as most kids. And she has a harder time actually tasting food. So that's why she likes when we add spices(especially pepper) and sauces like ketchup. It's because she can't taste the food unless it has bold flavor so therefore she just chooses not to eat it. She is bored with her food. That mixed with not feeling hungry equals small portions and no weight gain.

She starts feeding therapy in 2 weeks. We are allotted a whole year of therapy but she said it's not unusual for a kid to be good to go in as little as 2 months.

We just talked a lot about her behavior, her development, and of course food preferences.

She had us bring her hungry and feed her a meal that had a food she loves, a food she is so-so about, and a food she hates. She sat to the side and took notes and watched her eat. Pey had her usual amount so I think it was an accurate evaluation.

They didn't have a scale there so we can't really estimate our progress. I'll probably just wait for her 18m well check that is coming up in 2 weeks.

We touched a bit on actual speech development as well. She said she is still technically on track speech wise but is at the low range of normal. If by 2 she isn't speaking two word pairings to consider a speech evaluation.

I think I covered everything. Hopefully we are now on track for her to start gaining some weight!

ETA: For anyone interested, here is her very specific food diary from the last few days. It doesn't include water or milk though.

Food diary

8/26
4 bites of French toast
4 slices of clementine
5 bites of banana
3/4 cup Mac and cheese
1 chicken nugget with ketchup
8oz pediasure

8/27
3/4 a half pb&j
3 slices of clementine
3 blueberries
1/4 chocolate chip chewy bar
1 small chicken tender with ketchup
1/8 cup Mac and cheese
2 bites of chicken Alfredo
2 fries with ketchup
1/4 cup applesauce
1 cup mandarin oranges
1 bite of cheeseburger
1 fry
3 bites of grilled cheese
3 bites of chocolate ice cream

8/28
1 strawberry yogurt pouch
1 bite of peanut butter bagel
4 bites of Mac and cheese
1/4 half pj&j
3 bites of Spanish rice
3 bites of cheesy potatoes
1 clementine

8/29
4 bites of cream cheese bagel
1/2 cheese stick
3 Alfredo noodles
1 bite chicken

[carawestt]

That's great that you got answers! I hope things start improving with her eating now.

[dixeedeluxe]

Awesome! I love ketchup too. But because I love salt


Did they give any suggestions as to what you could try giving her? I've only recently discovered highly spiced food as an adult (hello dying tastebuds), so it'd be hard for me to think of things.

[Dorothy Zbornak]

That's great that you've really got something to go on now!

And I hope the diagnosis gives you more confidence about nursing her, too.

[joyhart02]

Glad you got some answers!

[raynes]

Well I guess that's good news! I'm really glad to hear you've got a plan for therapy. I hope she comes around quickly.

[mrsjaymay]

It's great that she has a diagnosis. I hope she does great with the therapy!

I'm interested as to what 'feeding therapy' consists of, but she's not the first child that I've heard of having food/sensory issues. You'll have to update after she has her first session!

[Deleted]

So how did she come to that actual diagnosis? I'm really curious because it sounds very similar to Laney...

[lauranicole91]

Aug 29, 2013 13:31:09 GMT -5 Dorothy Zbornak said:

That's great that you've really got something to go on now!

And I hope the diagnosis gives you more confidence about nursing her, too.

Yes! She didn't even really bring up nursing, other than asking if her latch was/is okay.

[Deleted]

Well I'm really glad you guys have some answers and a plan forward! Sounds like she can make some good progress pretty fast so that's good.

[Dorothy Zbornak]

Aug 29, 2013 13:36:28 GMT -5 lauranicole91 said:

Aug 29, 2013 13:31:09 GMT -5 Dorothy Zbornak said:

That's great that you've really got something to go on now!

And I hope the diagnosis gives you more confidence about nursing her, too.

Yes! She didn't even really bring up nursing, other than asking if her latch was/is okay.

I am seriously so happy for you about that!

[lauranicole91]

Aug 29, 2013 13:35:52 GMT -5 ladybug said:

So how did she come to that actual diagnosis? I'm really curious because it sounds very similar to Laney...

Basically just looking at her food diary and noticing what she ate more of was stuff that had more bold flavor. And what all we described. And the fact she's always eaten small portions, even when she was EBF, tells her that her body just doesn't have the ability to feel hunger or fullness the way it should.

[breezy8407]

Glad you have a plan!

[TrudyCampbell]

Wow, that's really interesting. I'm glad you got a diagnosis and a plan!

Do you think Peyton has sensory issues in other areas? Like does she like really loud things or crave a lot of touch (or the opposite)?

[Deleted]

I'm so glad you have a diagnosis!!!

[mala]

So glad you have some answers!

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2013 13:42:53 GMT -5 lauranicole91 said:

Aug 29, 2013 13:35:52 GMT -5 ladybug said:

So how did she come to that actual diagnosis? I'm really curious because it sounds very similar to Laney...

Basically just looking at her food diary and noticing what she ate more of was stuff that had more bold flavor. And what all we described. And the fact she's always eaten small portions, even when she was EBF, tells her that her body just doesn't have the ability to feel hunger or fullness the way it should.

Hmmm so interesting. Very similar to Laney... Not so much the bold flavors but definitely small portions, nursing habits, feeling hungry/full, texture pickiness

[thedahliharpa]

I'm so glad you have a point to move forward from and a plan in place. You are doing a great job and I hope the feeding therapy starts helping soon.

[charlielove]

It's great to have some answers, I'm sure. So glad you have something to work with now.

[katie]

I am glad to hear you have a diagnosis and the food therapy plan!

[laurack]

Great news on the diagnosis! Hope therapy goes well for you guys, you will have to tell us what the actual therapy entails because I am intrigued!

[nilex0102]

Great news that to have a diagnosis and a plan!

[Deleted]

Ya here's Laney's food today:
3 bites muffin
1 cracker
Small Handful of peas
3 bites got dog

[lauranicole91]

Aug 29, 2013 13:53:28 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

Wow, that's really interesting. I'm glad you got a diagnosis and a plan!

Do you think Peyton has sensory issues in other areas? Like does she like really loud things or crave a lot of touch (or the opposite)?

Noises I would say no. But my mom an I have often tossed around the idea about her ability to feel pain. I know toddlers are tough and its all about how the parent reacts but I still wonder.

The other day she was running downhill in a parking lot and couldn't stop so she fell. She didn't catch herself with her hands and fell and skid on her forehead. There were scratches and intentions from rocks. She popped back up without a peep or even a glance in my direction and ran off.

She does occasionally cry when she falls on her head but it could be just because the event of falling off the choice caught her off guard and startled her more than anything.

She's always found getting hit in the head absolutely hilarious. I have several videos.

But I always just chalked it up to a baby/toddler/kid resilience thing.

[lauranicole91]

Aug 29, 2013 14:28:31 GMT -5 ladybug said:

Ya here's Laney's food today:
3 bites muffin
1 cracker
Small Handful of peas
3 bites got dog

But it's only 12:30 there!! At 12:30 here she had only had a few bites of DH's bagel.

[lauranicole91]

From the brief description of what the therapy is, it's basically just teach us parents how to go about things. How to react while she is eating, like cheering her on etc. Or how to react when she rejects food and how to go about getting around that. I'll definitely update after her first session!

[TrudyCampbell]

Aug 29, 2013 14:29:13 GMT -5 lauranicole91 said:

Aug 29, 2013 13:53:28 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

Wow, that's really interesting. I'm glad you got a diagnosis and a plan!

Do you think Peyton has sensory issues in other areas? Like does she like really loud things or crave a lot of touch (or the opposite)?

Noises I would say no. But my mom an I have often tossed around the idea about her ability to feel pain. I know toddlers are tough and its all about how the parent reacts but I still wonder.

The other day she was running downhill in a parking lot and couldn't stop so she fell. She didn't catch herself with her hands and fell and skid on her forehead. There were scratches and intentions from rocks. She popped back up without a peep or even a glance in my direction and ran off.

She does occasionally cry when she falls on her head but it could be just because the event of falling off the choice caught her off guard and startled her more than anything.

She's always found getting hit in the head absolutely hilarious. I have several videos.

But I always just chalked it up to a baby/toddler/kid resilience thing.

Wow that's really interesting! I just pictured her being Hayden Panettiere from Heroes who feels no pain and can heal herself, lol. 

This sounds evil but have you tried like pinching her?? 

And I remember the videos of her hysterically laughing when you threw stuff at her head! Oh man, her laugh is the best. 

[musiclover]

Awesome, so glad they have something to "fix", this will certainly help her gain weight

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2013 14:31:19 GMT -5 lauranicole91 said:

Aug 29, 2013 14:28:31 GMT -5 ladybug said:

Ya here's Laney's food today:
3 bites muffin
1 cracker
Small Handful of peas
3 bites got dog

But it's only 12:30 there!! At 12:30 here she had only had a few bites of DH's bagel.

True, well she woke up at 6 and most of that was just eaten at 12:30 for lunch. Sorry I'm not trying to downplay pey's issues, I've just always wondered if D has something going on... I'm going to be at my office tomorrow with her so I'm going to weigh her and see if she's gained recently.

[imimahoney]

I hope the therapy goes well!!