Resistant Eaters Awareness, Day 1
For those of you still actually reading, today I'm going to share the difference between a picky eater and a resistant eater. When I talk to other moms about Keegan, they often go on to tell me they understand because their child is also 'picky.' I know they mean well, but inside I have a secret desire to slap them. Really, I do. They truly do not understand.
I found one mom online this week who also has a resistant eater. We have gone back and forth sharing stories. It brought tears to my eyes because for the first time, there was another person with me on my 'island'. Someone actually understood.On the spectrum of kids and their eating habits, picky eaters would be in the middle. Resistant eaters would be at the far end of the spectrum, into dysfunction. Picky eaters & resistant eaters look different.
According to the SPD Companion:
A picky eater is less intense about their food issues and food choices. They may refuse to eat certain things for a certain time, but they do have enough foods in their diet over time to qualify as getting proper nutrition. They don't eliminate ENTIRE food groups for months and years, the way a resistant eater does. They may not like many foods, may prefer cookies over eggs, but don't we all have preferences?
The bottom line? The picky eater doesn't have the same kind of fear, discomfort and anxiety that a resistant eater shows. The picky eater will survive and thrive nutritionally, eventually. They may drive you crazy sometimes with their preferences, but they will be able to “overcome” their fears and apprehensions. The picky eater should be completely out of their phase by age 5, according to Ernsperger and Stegen-Hanson.
On the other hand, resistant eaters will definitely need to supplement their diets with nutritional drinks, vitamins, etc. just to keep them healthy, often for years. The family dynamics will also be different between a picky eater's family and a resistant eater's family. Dinnertime will be different. Difficulties regarding food, the resistant eater, and his family will be more intense, last longer, and happen more frequently.
Gagging, true anxiety/phobic responses, and vomiting are the BIGGEST clues! (Keegan does not gag but has a true phobic response)
Ernsperger and Stegen-Hanson (2004) point out; “Resistant eaters with sensory-based feeding problems experience difficulty eating because their sensory systems do not support the eating and drinking process... resistant eaters typically have an extreme reaction when presented with new or novel foods that continues even as they grow older. Resistant eaters may exhibit their fears through anxiety, tantrums, and/or gagging when presented with a new food.”
They continue to define resistant eaters as having one or more of the following characteristics:
1. Limited food selection. Total of 10-15 foods or less. (Keegan-- CHECK!)
2. Limited food groups. Refuses one or more food groups.(Keegan- CHECK!)
3. Anxiety and/or tantrums when presented with new foods. Gag or become ill when presented with new foods. (Keegan- CHECK!)
4. Experiencing "food jags". Require one or more foods be present at every meal prepared in the same manner. (Keegan- CHECK)
5. Diagnosed with a developmental delay such as Autism, Asperger's Syndrome or Pervasive Developmental Disorders- Not Otherwise Specified. May also have a diagnosis of mental retardation.
So, there you have it. My sweet, smart, precious little boy is a resistant eater. Ironically, he wants to be a giant when he grows up. :) We will keep on keepin' on.........
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