Many children have sensory issues with food, which may or may not lead to a diagnosis of a mental health condition, such as anxiety, autism, sensory processing disorder, or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a mental condition similar to anorexia that does not include body image issues.
If your child has a mental health condition that impedes their ability to eat, you may be referred to different types of specialists.For kids with sensory issues or autism, an occupational therapist is often trained in feeding therapy and can help your child get used to different textures and types of foods.
Changing what “family dinnertime” looks like for now in order to help your child will create life-long healthy food habits and help change the culture around food and mental illness, setting your kids up for a happier, more balanced relationship with food as they grow