- Resources for Kansas City families
Nourish Resource Center
Families often come to occupational therapy with many questions. Below are some of the most common concerns parents share when considering therapy for their child.
Is it normal for my child to be a picky eater?
Many children go through phases of selective eating, but when a child consistently eats only a small number of foods, avoids entire food groups, or experiences stress during meals, additional support may be helpful. Feeding therapy can help children build comfort with new foods while reducing pressure around eating.
When should I worry about my child’s feeding?
Signs that a feeding evaluation may be helpful include difficulty transitioning to solids, frequent gagging or coughing with food, strong sensory aversions to textures, or very limited food variety.
Is safe drinking a part of “feeding therapy”?
Yes! It is an important part of feeding therapy. For both infants and kids, safe drinking is a very key skill that our feeding therapist can assess and treat. Your provider may refer out for formal medical testing if concerns for aspiration (liquid towards/in the lungs) arise.
My child has big reactions to sensory experiences. Is that something OT helps with?
Yes. Occupational therapy often supports children who experience sensory sensitivities or challenges with regulation. Therapy helps children develop strategies to better process sensory information and participate more comfortably in daily activities.
My child struggles with handwriting. Is that something occupational therapy addresses?
Occupational therapists help children develop the fine motor skills, hand strength, and motor coordination needed for handwriting and other school-related tasks.
My child has trouble focusing. Can OT help with attention?
Occupational therapy can support attention by addressing underlying sensory, motor, and self-regulation skills that help children engage with tasks at home and school.
Do parents attend therapy sessions?
In most cases, yes. Parent involvement is an important part of pediatric therapy. We work closely with families so strategies used in therapy can also support success at home. You will be an important part of the evaluation process. For follow ups, expect a touch-base at each visit both at the beginning and end of your child’s session.
Links to helpful websites and tools used in therapy:
- Link to Handwriting Without Tears
- Ellyn Satter Institute Division of Responsibility
- SOS Parent Resources
Still have questions? We’d love to talk.