Hyperactive Gag Reflex

By Darrell Parker, occupational therapist and author of A Parent and Teacher's Guide to the Special Needs Child

Feeding your child who has Hyperactive Gag Reflex

A common feeding problem faced by children with disabilities is a hyperactive gag reflex. Everyone has a gag reflex. If you put your finger down your throat, you will find it and maybe find your lunch, too. This is normal, but if a child has a hyperactive gag reflex it can cause problems with obtaining proper nutrition. This can occur in varying degrees. Some children may gag one or two times throughout a meal, and some may gag at the sight of certain foods or other objects. Often, the hyperactive gag reflex is related to foods with certain textures the child finds offensive.

The problem of a hyperactive gag reflex can often be addressed through a desensitization process.

Example of hyperactive gag reflex: Samuel is a five year-old boy who will only eat a small number of smooth textured foods such as puddings. He gags at the sight of rough textured foods such as crackers. Samuel can tolerate seeing them if he knows he won't be asked to eat them. The first step is to have the crackers in sight at each meal (this step may take several days), but assure Samuel that he won't have to eat them. Second, place the crackers on his plate at mealtime for several days. Without any pressure to eat them. Samuel is allowed to, and even encouraged to, play with the crackers at mealtime if he wants to. Third, mix a tiny amount of crushed crackers into his normal, smooth-textured food. Increase the amount of crackers, gradually each day or two, adding more and more texture to the food until he can tolerate eating a cracker outright. When he is able to tolerate that, this same gradual process can be used to integrate other textured foods in to Samuel's diet.

Growth and Feeding

Recommended Special Needs Books

Feeding Articles
Food Aversion Hints
Dysphagia (Swallowing) Hints
Hyperactive Gag & Feeding
Food Allergies & Sensitivities

Sensory Integration
Oral Defensiveness Activities

Prematurity
Will My Baby "Catch Up"?
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Preemie Breastfeeding
Preemie Parenting

Resources
Feeding and Growth Lists and Links

Book Reviews
Special Needs Books