ASCV Event- Webinar: Picky Eating – Sensory Aversions & Ritualistic Eating

Join the ASCV & Amaka Ozah Winslow, M.S., CCC-SLP for an informational webinar on Picky Eating: Sensory Aversions and Ritualistic Eating!  The term “picky eater” is generally associated with a person—whether young or old—that has strong food preferences based on what foods they find appealing to eat. These individuals may have what some may consider “odd” food choices, but they are generally able to navigate through most situations well enough to grow and maintain their weight, and it is not highly disruptive to their lifestyle or overall health. What happens when “picky eating” enters into the realm of “highly selective eater” or “failure to thrive”? What happens when the decision as to whether they eat something or not is based on a sensory condition and not a preference issue? Now, we enter the world of sensory aversions and ritualistic eating behaviors, which are two subsets of highly selective eating. These issues are further compounded in the context of autism spectrum disorder due to hyperresponsiveness (other terms for this include oral aversion, sensory modulation dysfunction, (oral) hypersensitivity, hyperarousal, sensory defensiveness, and hyperacusis) (Baranek, et al., 2007). Hyperresponsiveness is generally caused by a sensory processing disorder/SPD (Mulligan, et al., 2021), or genetic factors resulting in changes to the functioning of the gut, brain, and sensory system (Byrska, et al., 2023). As a result of the ritualistic eating behaviors caused by SPD, parents are often stressed by the severe limitations imposed on the child’s diet (Smith, et al., 2005) and the severe texture limitations that results in an unwillingness for food exploration (Talay-Ongan & Wood, 2000). The purpose of today’s presentation will be to fulfill the following learner outcomes: To distinguish the difference between Sensory Aversions to food & Ritualistic Eating Behaviors To provide basic therapeutic strategies that parents/caregivers can employ to reduce the stressors associated with sensory aversion and ritualist eating. To provide information on referral information for feeding therapy support and intervention.