My son is 13 months old. He has NEVER put things in his mouth, as other babies do.
He does pick up the food on his tray--but only to examine it--he will not put it in his mouth. We have tried repeatedly to guide his hand to his mouth, but he pulls his hand back and cries.
FYI--He has acid reflux and was born a month premature.
He had problems with "textures" of advanced foods, gagging and refusing to eat it-- but has overcome it.
He will eat little pieces of food if I put it in his mouth.
Otherwise--he doesn't "get" to put it in his mouth, himself.
(We were referred to occupational therapy--but insurance won't cover it and we can't afford it without.)
Has anyone heard of this before?
I want to thank you ALL for your responses! Gosh, I feel so hopeful! I called "Early on" and they will be having case worker contact me. I also left a message at the number given for the "birth five" program. I feel hopeful and am so thankful for the advice you all have shared!
Also--I have just recently read a bit online about the Sensory/Oral issue and I wondered if he may have that!
I haven't seen anything yet regarding what I could do to help it, if he does have that. If anyone has any info on that--please let me know. I've only briefly touched on that possibility.
Our pediatrician gave us the diagnosis code for O.T. that was rejected by Blue Cross, and unfortunately--the O.T Supervisor and my doc both said that's the only code for "feeding issues". If there's any other helpful hints on that--please advise.
Also--FYI, My son does see a gastroenterologist for his acid reflux. He is on Prevacid and Reglan, which has helped to completely stop his throwing up at this time. (Yay!)
THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE; I will keep y'all posted. :)
My son started doing this at around that age. I gave him a fork to use and he has used either that or a spoon ever since. I knew he liked the food because he would eat it if I gave it to him but wouldn't pick it up himself. I definitely would recommend at least trying it out.
You may also want to try to contact DHS about getting supplimental coverage for him. My son is on the Healthy Kids/MIChild program, because we're low income and have no coverage at all other than that, but I know they offer supplimental things when your insurance won't cover for your child as long as he's under 19, which, he is. Should the other things fall through, contact your local FIA, or DHS depending on your area and see if they can help you.
You may need to pay some amount of it, copays etc, but it won't be anything like not having the insurance to begin with.
I would definitly check into Early On like the other lady suggested. They will also go to your home or daycare. Where ever the child is. If they can't help I am sure that they would be able to head you in the right direction.
Yes, I agree with Early On, but to find out if your school district has an Early On program, don't call the school itself, call your local School District office and talk to someone in the Special Education department for advice.
I know that If I didn't get my 14 year old son into the Special Ed system when he was 18 months old for O.T. and P.T., he would be alot more delayed than he is now and he also had the oral problems when he was a baby.
J. I'm not familiar with early on but I do know that your school system will provide free therapy and assistance (which might be what the early on program is). Ask you Dr. or call your local elmentary school.
YES I went through this with my now 3 yr old and I thought occupational thereapy? how odd but IT WORKS!! My son has silent reflux and STILL on meds.....is you son on meds still? do you see a GERD PEDI Specialist? they can give you the correct information (codes if you will) for the insurance company to cover it. I know it took us 4 times to find the right "code" before my insurance company would cover it. Good Luck!
My son had similar issues and now at 4 years old won't eat certain textures. Do a google search on SID or Sensory Intergration Disorder and read up on oral motor issues. How is his speech? My son gets speech therapy and OT through the Lincoln School system. He was in Early Intervention from 18 months to 3 years and is now in the Michigan School Readiness Program and doing wonderful.
I don't know what school district you are in, but if you want some contacts for Lincoln, or if you want to chat some more, just email me privitely. Good Luck!
J.
I was also going to suggest Early On. One of my triplets was way behind deveolpmentally on his motor skills and they helped and dont cost a thing. They deal with children from birth to 3 yrs old.
M.
dont worry bout him ma he will pick it up just keep showin him kids arent all the same when hes ready he will do it pre me babys tend to pick up on things a little slower he will be ok just keep doin the motor movements with his hands or get jello shapes let him see there good then put it down he will figure out if he wants it to pick it up kids are samarter then we think an sometimes just want us to do it
Call the birth-five program! It's free and they send someone to your house once a month to work with your little one. Ask for Kelly Shay, she has worked with my son for 5 months now, ###-###-####. If she thinks you may need additional help, she might be able to refer you to another no cost/ low cost agency.
If you were referred to an OT, I assume that the doctor must be concerned as well. My first instinct was that he must just want more time to inspect the food. But, if the concern is that he may need some extra help developementally, I would urge you to pursue that with alot of a great deal of seriousness, because you really don't know how deep the issue runs until you look into it.
This is not meant to frighten you. It's just that at your son's age, it's the time to act. With early intervention, the vast majority of developemental delays can be overcome before you son reaches school age. Sometimes, problems can be hidden from us people that are not trained to notice them.
As for being able to afford it, I suggest contacting Early On. http://www.cenmi.org/pair/coordinators.asp Any child that displays a delay in developement, under the age of three, qualifies for their programs. If I'm not mistaken, they have therapists that can work with your son at little or no cost to you.
In the long run, I'm sure this will be just an interesting quirk, with no long term isues to be addressed. But, it's sometimes better to be safe than sorry.
have you tried early intervention or also called early on? through your local school district? its free and you qualify by answering some questions and evaluating your child. theres a a pt and ot in most of them that work with the child while they are there and its usually only a couple hours a week. but it does help. i worked in one for 3 years and my son also went to it before hand. what city are you in? i think theres a main number 1 800 early on you can call and they could direct you.
