Date of Defense

4-18-2019

Date of Graduation

12-2019

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Michelle Suarez

Second Advisor

Ben Atchison

Abstract

Food selectivity is defined as “food refusal based on type, texture, temperature, or appearance of food, leading to a self-restricted diet” (Suarez, 2015). Food selectivity affects children of all ages. Food selectivity refers to when a child is eating as few as 5-10 different foods and demonstrates food refusal behaviors, which can make mealtime a challenge for children and their families (Suarez, 2015). Occupational therapy addresses activities of daily living (ADLS), therefore feeding, including food selectivity is included within the OT scope of practice. There is a need to create a comprehensive and thorough document to collect a client’s history prior to treating the client. This knowledge can help a clinician use the session time most efficiently. It is imperative for clinicians and students to know what everything is on the patient history form and how it relates to feeding. There are many mental and cognitive, structural, and physiological limitations and diagnoses that can contribute to a child’s feeding problems. This document should be used as a reference tool when administering the updated child history form at any feeding clinic. The purpose of this thesis is to develop this history form for the Finicky Feeder’s Clinic at WMU Unified Clinics. This thesis is intended inform clinicians and future students of the importance of not only knowing a full and thorough client history, but also understanding what it means and how it relates to their food selectivity concerns. By knowing this, a clinician can be better equipped to have the information to create the best treatment plan for the child.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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