Weighted Utensils for Children

Children with sensory processing disorder can have trouble feeding themselves. With a little help, they can turn a challenging activity into a therapeutic one. Weighted utensils are one way occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and pediatric specialists treat developmental issues. They can even help children whose issues don't manifest in feeding problems because the use of the utensils has positive ramifications well beyond feeding skills.

Sensory Processing Disorder

• Developmental delays in neural pathway development can lead children to sensory processing disorder. They may be afraid or have a heightened dislike of particular sounds, images, lights, tastes, textures and smells. The reverse can be true as well -- they may be fixated on particular sensory inputs and unable to enjoy others as a result. In either case, children with sensory processing disorder are not able to fully sense their world. Pediatric specialists, including occupational therapists, work with parents to develop activities that facilitate and accelerate children's neurological development to move past sensory processing disorder.

Vestibular Motion

• One of they key triggers to neural development is vestibular motion. Jumping, bounding, rolling, twirling, kicking, swimming, pulling and lifting are a few examples of motions that trigger the brain to develop the neural pathways related to sensory input. Lifting and puling heavy items such as a wagon filled with heavy items is a common and effective form of vestibular movement.

Weighted Utensils

• Weighted utensils provide an opportunity to bring vestibular motion into eating. This helps trigger sensory development as it relates to a child's sense of where their hands and faces are in space, which in turn directly impacts a child's ability to feed himself. It can benefit other aspects of a child's sensory challenges because every vestibular activity helps.

Supplies

• Weighted utensils aren't standard items in stores selling baby and toddler accoutrement. Online sellers of supplies for children with developmental issues and occupational therapy carry them. Parents can sometimes get a set through occupational therapy and speech language pathology clinics where they take their child. Parents unsure of which size or model to get should ask their child's clinician.