Supporting Sensory Integration During Mealtimes

As occupational therapists, one of the cornerstones of our work is understanding and supporting sensory integration. Sensory integration refers to how the brain processes and organizes sensory input from the environment to produce appropriate and functional responses. For children, this process is essential to successfully engaging in everyday activities—from playing and learning to eating. Since each child processes sensory information differently, one of our primary goals is to help them modulate sensory input so they can thrive in their daily routines.

Mealtime can be particularly challenging for children with sensory processing differences. A variety of sensory systems are at work during this time, including the visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory, interoceptive, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems. If a child’s sensory system is over-responsive or under-responsive, mealtimes can become overwhelming or unengaging, leading to difficulties in eating. Understanding how each system functions during mealtimes can help you identify the root of your child’s challenges and implement strategies to make mealtimes a more positive experience.

1. Visual System

The visual system plays a significant role in how children perceive and engage with their food. When a child is over-responsive to visual stimuli, they may become overwhelmed by brightly colored or visually complex foods, or they may avoid new or unexpected foods. This heightened sensitivity can make mealtimes stressful.

• Over-Responsive: A child might avoid brightly colored or unfamiliar foods, or become anxious when presented with non-preferred options. A calm, clutter-free environment can reduce visual overload. Allowing the child to choose where they sit or what they eat can give them a sense of control and promote a more positive mealtime experience.

• Under-Responsive: A child who is under-responsive to visual stimuli might need additional stimulation to maintain attention. Using brightly colored plates, utensils, or placemats can increase their visual engagement, making mealtime more inviting and stimulating.

2. Auditory System

The auditory system can also impact a child's ability to focus during meals. Children who are sensitive to sounds may become easily distracted by background noises that others might not even notice. On the other hand, some children may struggle to notice sounds or voices, which can affect communication and social interactions during meals.

• Over-Responsive: A child may become distracted or distressed by sounds like the TV, conversation, or the clinking of utensils. To support them, consider seating them away from noisy areas or using noise-canceling headphones to minimize auditory distractions. Speaking more slowly and providing extra time for processing language can also help create a more comfortable mealtime environment.

• Under-Responsive: Children who are under-responsive to auditory input may fail to notice when someone calls their name or miss cues like a timer going off. To engage them, consider using visual cues alongside verbal instructions, and allow extra time for processing.

3. Tactile (Touch) System

Tactile sensitivity is often at the forefront of mealtime challenges. A child who is over-responsive to tactile input may reject certain food textures or become distressed by the sensation of food on their hands.

• Over-Responsive: Children may refuse to touch food with their hands, prefer using utensils, or avoid foods with certain textures, such as sticky or wet foods. Introducing new textures gradually through playful activities, such as making "ants on a log," can help desensitize them to different textures and create a more positive experience. Allowing them to use utensils they are comfortable with also helps reduce tactile stress.

• Under-Responsive: A child who is under-responsive to tactile input might not notice food on their hands or face or might not mind messy or sticky foods. Offering tactile-focused activities, such as helping with meal prep, can increase their awareness of textures and help them develop a more positive relationship with food.

4. Olfactory (Smell) System

Olfactory sensitivity can also greatly affect a child’s mealtime experience. Some children are particularly sensitive to smells, while others may not notice odors at all.

• Over-Responsive: Children who are over-sensitive to smells may avoid certain foods due to their scent or be distracted by odors in their environment. Creating a scent-free or neutral environment and gradually exposing the child to new smells through “smelling games” can help them become more comfortable with different scents.

• Under-Responsive: If a child is under-responsive to smells, they may not notice odors, even strong ones. Encouraging them to explore foods with strong smells during meal preparation can help increase their awareness of scents and improve their ability to engage with their food.

5. Gustatory (Taste) System

The gustatory system is responsible for our sense of taste, and for some children, mealtime can be a battleground of preferences and sensitivities.

• Over-Responsive: Children who are over-sensitive to taste may have a limited diet, preferring certain textures or flavors, and may be very particular about food brands or colors. Supporting them in food preparation and involving them in the selection of new foods can help them feel more in control and less anxious about trying new tastes. Gradually introducing small changes—such as a new flavor or food texture—can also make the transition smoother.

• Under-Responsive: Children who are under-sensitive to taste may prefer strong flavors or textures, such as crunchy or spicy foods. Providing foods that are crunchy or have intense flavors can help stimulate their gustatory system and engage them during meals.

6. Interoception (Internal Sensations)

Interoception refers to the ability to sense internal bodily signals, such as hunger, thirst, and the need to use the bathroom. When a child has difficulty with interoception, they may not recognize when they are hungry or full, which can interfere with mealtime routines.

• Over-Responsive: Children who are over-responsive to internal sensations may feel overwhelmed by minor bodily cues, making it difficult for them to distinguish between hunger, thirst, or other needs. Helping them recognize these sensations by discussing body signals before and during mealtimes can improve their awareness and increase independence.

• Under-Responsive: Children who are under-responsive may struggle to recognize when they are hungry or need a break, potentially resulting in overeating or difficulty with self-regulation. Encouraging regular check-ins about hunger and thirst before mealtimes can help them tune into these signals more effectively.

7. Vestibular (Sense of Movement) System

The vestibular system is responsible for detecting head movement and maintaining balance. Children who are over-responsive to vestibular input may avoid movement activities, while those who are under-responsive may seek out excessive movement to stay engaged.

• Over-Responsive: Children with vestibular sensitivity may avoid activities like swinging or playing certain games, and they may have difficulty with head movements like turning their head to look at food. Gradual exposure to movement activities—such as riding a scooter board or jumping on a trampoline—can help them become more comfortable with movement. Weighted blankets can also offer calming, grounding input during meals.

• Under-Responsive: Children who seek excessive movement may struggle to sit still during meals or might engage in repetitive movement, such as jumping out of their seat. Providing frequent movement breaks or allowing them to use movement to help them stay regulated (e.g., pushing or carrying weighted items) can support their sensory needs and help them remain engaged at the table.

8. Proprioceptive (Muscle and Joint Sensations) System

The proprioceptive system detects input from muscles and joints and helps children understand where their body is in space. This system plays a key role in maintaining posture and regulating energy during mealtimes.

• Over-Responsive: Children who are over-responsive to proprioceptive input may avoid activities that require strength, such as pushing or pulling, and may seek out routine sensory input like squeezing or using chew items. Encouraging them to sit in a stable position (90°-90°-90° posture) at the table can help provide proprioceptive input and increase comfort during meals. Additionally, offering calming activities, such as joint compressions or using a weighted blanket, can support their sensory regulation.

• Under-Responsive: A child who is under-responsive may constantly fidget or need more physical input to feel regulated. Offering heavy work activities—like pushing or pulling weighted items—before mealtimes can help provide the proprioceptive input needed for better focus and engagement during meals.

Conclusion

Every child’s sensory system is unique, and mealtimes present a particularly rich array of sensory input. By understanding how different sensory systems may affect a child's ability to engage with food, caregivers and therapists can work together to create strategies that foster positive, enjoyable mealtime experiences. Whether it’s offering visual or tactile support, creating a calm auditory environment, or gradually introducing new textures and tastes, small adjustments can make a big difference in helping children succeed in this essential part of daily life.