Food chaining, first/then, task analyses, sensory integration strategies for tolerance training, education on food groups and nutrition, allowing accommodations, separating mealtime from these exercises, I could go on. We do most of it ourselves with consultatiive services and workshops.

I did food therapy for my son he would gag looking at certain foods and his main food would be chicken nuggets and pizza and just a handful of things one thing i loved is that they did go step by step and made a big deal about any bite he took or tasted also she tricked him and told him fish sticks were chicken nuggets and untill this day we still tell him its chicken nuggets or he wont eat it and hes tried new things like blueberries apples with peanut butter and new things it is worth it but remember baby steps 😊 good luck ❤️

We have been working w OT after OT on this. We finally are w one that is super creative. She has turned everything into play. Currently hes 5 and ate baby food from a spoon for four months prior to turning 1. He got sick and we gave him his bottle. I think he decided that was easier to swallow so he never allowed food and utensils again. (And I'm a stubborn mom. I could wait all day to wait him out if I needed to on something.) But he turned to fearing it and choking as he got older.

We are taking time and baby steps. We are using foods he is ok to be around, playing with it but not changing it leveling up/moving on until hes so comfortable with it its 'old news.'

She has brought thoughts martini swords and umbrellas, acted like mini carrots are dragons that we must stab to stop. We use applesauce to give the dragons baths, crackers as trampolines, roll his cheerios does a large cracker into a bowl. Play hockey with a plastic knife and whatever rolls or is small & moves and fling different dry food at each other off plastic spoons. We use straws to blow bubbles, and move water. We find where each other hide cracker pieces in our mouths and chew our pieces together.

We started with the whole 5 steps sensory plan of intro, touch..... but this has worked so much better. He loves encouragement and is so proud to drink a juice box. with the straw, holding and sitting it down independently. He knows he doesn't have to finish it or anything but can always come back or request it and play w it again. We've literally make food fun!!!!

And his struggles like sensitivities of swallow have become a joke or comedy to get/push through. By his lead of laughing at the feel. At first I just encouraged him to get through and honestly was there but did not coddle him if he coughed or gagged. I rubbed his back and egged him on to get through it. I would laugh at irregular shivers he'd make which made him laugh. But over all we've provided, encouraged with our initial thought but let him run off us and explore.
It feels like forever but he's made leaps and bounds really. Most I dont realize until like now sitting here thinking about it. So a lot has come along natural, through playing like any other kid.

Thank you! We are taking baby steps too.