Developmental Delay Red Flags
for feeding Toddlers
18-24 Months
- Coughing throughout meal or when drinking
- Spitting up frequently after meals
- Abnormal bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea, loose
stool) and frequency
- Skin reaction (dry patches, hives, rashes)
- Discomfort (crying, arching back, irritability,
retching)
- Limited diet (e.g. prefers eating same foods, same color
or same texture)
- Gag response to new or non-preferred foods
- Minimal fluid intake/adipsia (e.g. child will eat solid
foods, but very little fluid intake)
- Limited variety of textures (e.g. prefers smooth/creamy
foods or eating only crunchy foods)
- Excessive fluid intake (e.g. drinks bottle or from cup,
but minimal food intake)
- Chewing skill deficits (e.g. eating only easy to swallow
foods, not demonstrating safe or efficient chewing skills
after 12 months)
- Food refusal (e.g. pushing food away, throwing foods,
crying, tantrums at meal time)
- Refusal to self-feed (e.g. finger foods or utensil use)
- Excessive mouthing
Therapy Options
Thankfully, there are many ways to deal with delays in child
development and behaviors.
These include in-home services, outpatient (you take your child
to a clinic), inpatient (following injury or surgery) and school
based services. Which type of therapy should you choose?
Visit our Therapy
Options area to learn more.
Ask a Therapist
We understand developmental milestones and the challenges of
Special Needs children. We spend a great deal of time with
families understanding the inner workings of childhood routines
and interactions. Ask us about your child today!
Ask a Therapist
Feeding Skills for Toddlers
18-24 Months
Feeding your baby is one of the most important aspects of child
care. When it does not work as you expect or is a stressful event,
it can be of great concern. Here are some developmental milestones
to look for at this age:
- Chewing with rotary jaw movements
- Distinguishes between food and non-food items
- Gives up bottle
- Gives empty bowl or dish to an adult
- Scooping foods to feed self, with some spills
- Plays/explores foods with hands
- Holds small cups with one hand
- Plays with food
- Knows the difference between food and non-food items
- Transitions to a cup
- Develops clear food preferences
Professional Support is Available
There are a number of professionals who can offer support and
recommendations, including but not limited to, speech therapists,
occupational therapists, nutritionist/dietician, psychologists, and
physicians.
It is always best to start with your child's pediatrician.
Report specific concerns you may have related to your child's food intake,
behaviors, and discomfort observed during and following meal. You can also
use our website to Ask a
Therapist.
Feeding Skills by Age Group
The following are feeding skills developmental stages, defining expected
feeding behaviors and postures in each age range. Included are 'red flags'
to warn of particular developmental delays you should look out for.
Contact Information
Find Early Intervention
Support contacts in your State. If you have a question or comment for
us, please visit our Contact page.
Early Intervention Helps with Developmental Delay
For children with Special Needs, intervention in early childhood
development means finding specific ways to help a child become as functional
as possible.
Learn more on our Parenting
Tips
page.
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