Pediatric Therapy for Picky Eating
in Dacula, Gainesville, Brookhaven, GA

Mealtimes can be stressful when your child refuses to eat certain foods or struggles with a limited diet. This kind of picky eating can impact your child’s nutrition, growth, and overall health. But did you know that feeding therapy can help uncover the cause of your child’s picky eating so they can overcome it?

At Tender Ones Therapy Services, our team of skilled therapists offers feeding therapy to help children expand their food choices, develop essential eating skills, and enjoy mealtimes with confidence.

What Is Picky Eating?

Picky eating goes beyond the food preferences that everyone has. A child who is a picky eater may refuse entire food groups, or only have a few “safe” foods that they will eat, which can prevent them from getting the nutrients their growing body needs.

Picky eating often stems from underlying sensory processing challenges that make certain textures, tastes, or smells overwhelming. It can also stem from oral motor difficulties that make chewing or swallowing certain foods physically difficult or uncomfortable.

Common Symptoms of Picky Eating in Children

Here are some of the most common signs of picky eating in children:

Refusal to try foods with certain textures, tastes, or smells
Limited diet with a preference for specific food types (e.g., only soft or bland foods)
Gagging or vomiting when trying new foods
Difficulty chewing or swallowing certain textures
Anxiety or distress during mealtimes
Long mealtimes with very little eating happening
Poor weight gain or nutritional deficiencies

How Intensive Pediatric Therapy Can Treat Picky Eating

At TOTS, we offer an intensive feeding therapy program. Our expert occupational therapists use evidence-based techniques to gradually introduce new foods and textures to your child in a way that feels safe and non-threatening.

We may do sensory integration activities to help your child become more comfortable with the look, feel, and smell of various foods, or oral motor exercises to strengthen the muscles they need for chewing and swallowing. Our therapists also collaborate with you to ensure your family has strategies to make mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable at home.

The intensive feeding therapy program allows children to make faster progress. We can address their challenges in a supportive environment and help them develop the skills and confidence they need to expand their diet, improve their nutrition, and thrive.

Why Choose Tender Ones Therapy Services?

At TOTS, your child will receive exceptional care in a supportive and fun environment. Here’s why families across Georgia trust us:

Comprehensive Care: Our therapists collaborate with each other and with your child’s healthcare team to provide the best treatment possible.
Intensive Therapy Programs: We offer intensive therapy programs for children who need extra support to achieve their goals.
Family-Centered Approach: We encourage your involvement in your child’s treatment and support parents in any way we can.
Multiple Locations: We have clinics in Dacula, Gainesville, and Atlanta to make it easy for your family to access expert care close to home.

Schedule an Evaluation with Our Team Today