Swallowing and Eating
Swallowing and Eating describes everything that happens between food entering the mouth and reaching the stomach. Gulp!
Swallowing and Eating describes everything that happens between food entering the mouth and reaching the stomach. Gulp!
Below you will see groups of behaviors that describe specific patterns of sensory processing. As you read through these lists, make note of any that stick out to you or seem to be descriptive of your child. Click on any group for more information about that particular pattern of sensory processing. Children can display different patterns at different times, so make sure to click on all that apply.
My child appears...
- to struggle to chew or swallow foods of dissimilar colors, textures, shapes, or sizes
- not to chew or swallow as well in loud, busy environments, to complain of tightness in the throat, or to have difficulty managing food or liquid
- to have an overactive gag reflex, to have difficulty manipulating certain foods in the mouth or swallowing certain foods, to "pocket" food in the mouth without swallowing, or to swallow foods whole without chewing
- to frequently gag around certain aromatic foods
- to prefer bland, sweet, or salty foods
- to have difficulty swallowing, tire easily when chewing, or chew excessively
My child appears...
- to frequently take bites that are too large
- to smack lips, slurp food, or slosh food around in the mouth while eating and not notice volume of eating noises
- to often "pocket" food in the mouth, "overstuff" mouth, swallow foods whole, have difficulty swallowing, or bite the tongue or the inside of the mouth - perhaps without noticing
- to have a decreased appetite or not recognize if food is spoiled
- to prefer sour, spicy, or bitter foods
- to demonstrate difficulty swallowing, becomes tired when chewing, or chew excessively
- to have difficulty maintaining good posture for eating or to become distracted during mealtimes.
- to struggle to recognize hunger or thirst signals or when satisfied or full
My child appears...
- prefer foods with a variety of colors, textures, shapes, sizes; find pleasure in examining food (may spit out/regurgitate and examine)
- to smack lips, slurp food, or slosh food around in the mouth and display excitement or enjoyment from eating noises
- to "pocket" food in the mouth, "overstuff" mouth, swallow foods whole, excessively explore or play with food inside the mouth, or bite tongue or inside of mouth
- excessively play with food inside the mouth; move food around to different areas of the mouth but not swallow
- chew with excessive force, grind or clench teeth, slurp food, swallow too much food at once, or chew excessively without swallowing
- to have difficulty sitting still to complete safe eating
- to crave feeling full
My child appears...
- to struggle to determine if food is too hot or too cold, to distinguish between smooth or rough textures of food; to have difficulty identifying location of food in the mouth
- to have difficulty distinguishing between good/bad smells or tastes, helpful/harmful smells or tastes, or different types of smells or tastes
- uncertain of body position or relationship between body parts, especially when eyes are closed
- uncertain of head position, upright position, or speed of movements
My child appears...
- lazy or lethargic
- to struggle to maintain position while eating
- to be easily fatigued by everyday tasks
- to have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Children with severe difficulties with swallowing and eating may need formal treatment from a Speech and Language Pathologist or an Occupational Therapist. Consult your family physician if more information is needed.