010: Sensory Processing Disorder & How to Get Kids to Eat Healthy Anyway with Dr. Nicole Beurkens

Sensory Processing Disorder refers to difficulties that happen in some children where their brain struggles to make sense of input coming from the sensory environment. Information comes to our brain through our five senses. The brain has to make sense of it so that we can react appropriately. The brains of kids with SPD struggle to make sense of this information quickly and effectively.

This usually impacts eating in some way. There is a difference between picky eaters and kids with true feeding disorders. Kids that are picky won’t eat some foods, but at least they have a range of foods they eat. Kids with feeding disorders usually have less than 20 foods in their diet, and they may even be brand or presentation specific.

Usually, the first step for BOTH of these types is exposure to new foods without expecting them to eat them. Listen to the interview to find out how to get kids to eat a wider variety of foods by asking them not to eat!

Resources We Mention for Sensory Processing Disorder and Picky Eaters

• More on problem feeders vs. picky eaters and strategies for picky eaters
• Mary Voogt is an expert on SPD as well because her own kids struggle with sensory processing. Here is a post on her own blog, my interview with her about eating styles, and her post on Kitchen Stewardship
• Hop into the No More Picky Eating Challenge
• My episode with Renae Fieck on raising kids with sensory processing disorder
• Dr. Beurkens' book Life Will Get Better 
• Find Dr. Beurkens on her website

• Kitchen Stewardship
• Kids Cook Real Food
• follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook
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• YouTube shorts channel for HPH
• Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast

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