Another challenge that often presents itself in children with Autism
is the fact that many of them have limited diets. Children with
Autism often have very few foods in their diets and tend to eat
the same foods and then “burn out” on them. They sometimes limit
their diets to specific textures or colors and are resistive to
trying new foods. Kay Toomey, Ph.D. from Colorado Pediatric Therapy
and Feeding Specialists, has put together an approach to feeding
called the “SOS approach”.
The SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) feeding strategy is a non-invasive,
developmental approach to feeding. It focuses on increasing a child’s
comfort level exploring and learning about the different properties
of food including texture, smell, taste and consistency. The SOS
approach allows a child to interact with food in a playful, non-stressful
way. It consists of around 32 steps of a hierarchy beginning with
the basic ability to tolerate food in the room, in front of him/her,
touching, and eventually tasting and eating foods. Parent education
and involvement is an important part of this approach. A therapist
works directly with the group of parents. They watch each feeding
session to learn this approach to feeding, physical signs and “body
language” to tell when the child may be overstimulated, and how
to set up home programs. Feeding groups are done one time per week
for 12 weeks.
Feeding groups using this approach are currently available at The
Therapy Place. For more information, contact Lynn Kopfmann, OTR/L
at (952)885-0418.
AUTUMN
School has started, the weather is getting cooler, and the holidays
are fast approaching. What a better way to relax and warm up than
drinking a nice cup of hot chocolate? The following is a gluten
free casein free recipe from Special Diets for Special Kids by Lisa
Lewis, Ph.D. for you to try:
Hot Chocolate Mix
4 cups DariFree, Better Than Milk or Rice Moo
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar (preferably vanilla sugar)
1/8 tsp. salt
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To use,
place 3 tablespoons ix in a cup. Add a small amount of boiling water
and stir to dissolve mix. Fill cup with boiling water.