One of the most common questions we hear from parents is: 'Is my child just a picky eater, or is something more going on?' Understanding the difference between typical picky eating — a normal developmental phase — and problem feeding, which requires professional intervention, is critical for getting your child the right support at the right time.

Dr. Kay Toomey's research identifies clear distinctions: Picky eaters generally eat 30 or more different foods, will eventually touch or taste new foods (even reluctantly), eat at least one food from most texture and nutrition groups, and can recover lost foods after a break. Problem feeders eat fewer than 20 foods, their food range decreases over time, they cry or 'fall apart' when presented with new foods, and they refuse entire categories of textures or nutrition groups. Problem feeders often have underlying sensory, motor, or medical factors contributing to their difficulties.