Manashi Devi,Occupational therapist

23/08/2025

This is for generic information only. Please consult Occupational therapist to understand your child ‘s issues and needs.
Techniques Used in OT for Picky Eating

A. Sensory Integration Approaches

Many picky eaters have sensory processing issues.
• Food play & exploration → Touching, smelling, and playing with food without pressure to eat.
• Messy play → Using pudding, yogurt, rice, or pasta to desensitize tactile defensiveness.
• Texture ladders → Gradually introducing similar foods from preferred textures to more challenging ones.

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B. Oral-Motor Skill Development

For children with chewing or swallowing issues:
• Oral motor exercises: blowing bubbles, using whistles, sucking through straws.
• Practicing chewing on different textures.
• Introducing oral desensitization tools like vibration toothbrushes or chew toys.

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C. Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach

A widely used OT-based method:
• Focuses on systematic desensitization.
• Steps: Look → Touch → Smell → Kiss → Lick → Bite → Chew → Swallow.
• No pressure to eat; success is celebrated at each exposure stage.

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D. Environmental & Behavioral Strategies
• Family-style meals to model positive eating behavior.
• Consistent mealtime routines.
• Limiting distractions during meals.
• Encouraging food chaining → Starting with a preferred food and slowly changing its shape, color, or flavor.

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E. Parent Coaching & Education
• Educating parents on responsive feeding rather than force-feeding.
• Helping families understand sensory preferences.
• Setting realistic goals and celebrating small wins.

20/08/2025

Let your children explore Barefoot walking during this monsoon .

Barefoot walking, also known as earthing or grounding, has several physical, sensory, and psychological benefits, especially when practiced on natural surfaces like grass, sand, soil, or pebbles.

Physical Benefits
1. Strengthens Foot Muscles & Ligaments
• Walking barefoot engages the small muscles in the feet and ankles, improving strength, balance, and stability.
2. Improves Posture & Alignment
• Without shoes, your feet naturally adjust to the ground, promoting better spinal alignment and reducing strain on the knees, hips, and lower back.
3. Enhances Balance & Coordination
• Direct contact with the ground improves proprioception (awareness of body position), helping in better balance and coordination.
4. Improves Blood Circulation
• Walking barefoot stimulates nerve endings and promotes better blood flow in the lower extremities.
5. Reduces Inflammation & Pain (especially when walking on natural surfaces)
• Some studies suggest that contact with the earth’s surface electrons may reduce inflammation and chronic pain.

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Sensory & Neurological Benefits
1. Boosts Sensory Feedback
• Barefoot walking activates thousands of nerve endings in the feet, improving sensory integration and motor planning.
2. Supports Brain Development in Children
• For kids, walking barefoot helps develop fine motor skills, balance, and coordination by enhancing sensory input.
3. Stimulates Acupressure Points
• Walking on uneven natural surfaces like pebbles or grass stimulates reflexology points, supporting overall well-being.

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Psychological & Emotional Benefits
1. Reduces Stress & Anxiety
• Walking barefoot on grass or sand calms the nervous system and promotes relaxation.
2. Improves Mood & Energy
• Grounding may help stabilize mood by lowering cortisol levels and improving serotonin balance.
3. Enhances Mindfulness
• Walking barefoot encourages you to slow down and be present, improving overall mental well-being.

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Best Surfaces for Barefoot Walking
• Grass → Calming, cool, and soothing.
• Sand → Strengthens foot muscles and massages reflex points.
• Soil or Mud → Refreshing and cooling, good for inflammation.
• Pebbles → Stimulates reflexology points but should be done gradually.

30/07/2025

Announcement-
Resuming free online sessions from August.
Every Saturdays, pre booked slots only.
Note - not mandatory to start/continue therapy under me to book free session.

24/07/2025

Messy hands making beautiful memories.
Summer camp held at Sambhav in association with Prabhav on 20th July.

Contact: 87610 81455, 7002363050 for more info on Sambhav ( early intervention centre)

11/07/2025

International Yoga Day celebration at Sambhav.
Sambhav is an early intervention centre for children with special needs.
Contact: +91 87610 81455

26/05/2025

“Truly humbled and thankful for the chance to share space with some of the finest minds shaping education in Assam.”

04/04/2025

Sensory Friendly activities for children, Expressive creative art for parents, question answer session with practical tips for parents - week long activities for Children and Parents of Prosesta , 2nd April onwards

04/04/2025

Group therapy for Children with sensory friendly activities like water play, music and movement and artwork at Pratiksha Hospital, 2nd April 2025

04/04/2025

Interactive sessions and Question Answer session with Practical tips for Parents and teachers of Sambhav and Little Gems 31st March 2025

04/04/2025

Attending interactive event For Parents and Teachers , organised by Pratiksha Early Intervention . It was an engaging experience that blended participation with learning.
Grateful to be part of the team Date 30th March 2025

04/04/2025

10/11/2024

Credits
Occupational therapist community