Understanding Sensory Defensiveness

As a parent, mealtime can be a rollercoaster of emotions, especially if your child struggles with feeding difficulties. One often-overlooked factor that can contribute to these challenges is sensory defensiveness. In this blog post, we aim to help parents understand what sensory defensiveness is and how it affects your child's eating habits.

What is Sensory Defensiveness?

Sensory defensiveness refers to a heightened sensitivity or aversion to sensory stimuli. In simple terms, it's when your child reacts strongly to things like textures, tastes, smells, and even sounds that most people would find perfectly fine or even enjoyable. Sensory defensiveness can manifest in various ways, making mealtime a real challenge. Here are some common examples:

1. Tactile Defensiveness: Your child may have a strong aversion to certain textures, like certain foods or clothing materials. They might refuse to touch or eat foods due to their texture.

2. Gustatory Defensiveness: Some kids are super picky when it comes to flavors. They may avoid foods with strong or unfamiliar tastes.

3. Olfactory Defensiveness: Smells can be a big issue at mealtime. Your child might react strongly to certain food odors or cooking smells.

4. Auditory Defensiveness: Some children may be sensitive to the sounds of eating, such as chewing, swallowing, or utensil clinking.

Sensory defensiveness can make mealtime a real struggle for both you and your child. Here's how it can affect feeding:

1. Food Aversion: Sensory defensiveness often leads to strong aversions to certain foods, limiting your child's diet. They might resist trying new foods, which can be frustrating for you.

2. Mealtime Stress: It can create stress at the dinner table, leading to power struggles and frustration as you try to get your child to eat.

3. Nutritional Concerns: Feeding difficulties may result in an inadequate diet, leading to developmental or growth issues in children.

4. Social and Emotional Impact: Your child may feel self-conscious about their eating habits, which can affect their social interactions and self-esteem.

5. Reduced Enjoyment of Food: Sensory defensiveness can hinder your child's ability to enjoy and appreciate different flavors and textures, which is an important part of growing up.

Addressing sensory defensiveness is crucial to help your child develop healthy eating habits. Here are some strategies for parents to manage and overcome sensory defensiveness during feeding:

1. Seek Professional Help: Consult with a pediatric occupational therapist or a speech therapist specializing in feeding issues. They can assess your child's sensory sensitivities and develop a personalized treatment plan.

2. Gradual Exposure: Introduce new foods and textures gradually, starting with small, non-threatening portions. Allow your child to become accustomed to them over time.

3. Encourage Sensory Play: Engage in sensory play activities that help desensitize your child. Playing with different textures like sand, playdough, or textured fabrics can help them become more comfortable with tactile sensations.

4. Create a Calm Environment: Minimize distractions and stressors during mealtime. Provide a comfortable and quiet eating environment to reduce sensory overload.

5. Be Patient and Supportive: Avoid pressure and power struggles during mealtime. Be patient, understanding, and supportive of your child's needs.

Sensory defensiveness is a challenging aspect of feeding difficulties in children, but with the right approach and support, it can be managed effectively. As parents, understanding your child's sensory sensitivities and working to accommodate them can lead to improved mealtime experiences and better nutritional outcomes. Seek professional guidance and use a patient, supportive approach to help your child overcome sensory defensiveness and develop healthy eating habits. Remember, you're not alone, and with the right strategies, you can make mealtime a positive and nourishing experience for your child.