What is food chaining and how does it work for oral desensitization?

Food chaining is a technique that starts from an accepted food and evolves through small modifications. You identify a food the child already eats, change only ONE characteristic at a time, and progress very gradually. For example: French fry → Sweet potato fry → Sweet potato cubes → Sweet potato puree → Carrot puree.

How many times should I present a new food before a child accepts it?

A child may need to see a food 15-20 times before accepting it, which is completely normal. The repeated exposure technique involves offering the food 10-15 times minimum without comment or pressure, always in small quantities.

What is sensory play in oral desensitization?

Sensory play involves exploring foods through play without any obligation to eat. Activities include painting with colored purees, making prints and drawings, sorting, stacking, and crushing foods. For example, you can use beetroot puree as paint, pasta to make necklaces, or vegetables to make stamps.

How does modeling work in oral desensitization therapy?

Modeling involves an adult or peer eating the food in front of the child. You should eat the same food with pleasure, describe it positively (like saying 'Mmm, it's crunchy!'), but never insist that the child taste it. Peers such as brothers, sisters, or friends are often more effective than adults for modeling.

What are micro-portions and how should they be introduced?

Micro-portions start with tiny amounts that are almost invisible - beginning with the size of a grain of rice. You should increase the portions very gradually and mix the new food with an already accepted food. For example, start with a micro-drop of tomato sauce in puree, then 2, then 3, until it lightly colors the food.

What are the 6 key techniques for oral desensitization?

The 6 key techniques for oral desensitization are: 1) Food chaining - starting from accepted foods and making gradual modifications, 2) Repeated exposure - presenting foods multiple times without pressure, 3) Sensory play - exploring foods through play activities, 4) Modeling - having others eat the food in front of the child, 5) Micro-portions - starting with very small amounts, and 6) Progressive techniques to introduce new foods systematically.

Oral Desensitisation Cards | Orality | DYNSEO

🍽️ ORALITY TOOL — SPEECH THERAPY

Oral Desensitisation Cards
by DYNSEO

Progressive techniques for introducing new foods — step-by-step protocol for speech therapists, parents and educators.

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🃏 The 6 key techniques — Click = details · Green button = practised

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Food chaining

Start from an accepted food and evolve through small modifications

📖 How to do it

Identify a food the child already eats
Modify ONE characteristic at a time
Progress very gradually

💡 Example

Chips → Sweet potato chips → Sweet potato cubes → Sweet potato mash → Carrot mash

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✓ Practised

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Repeated exposure

Present the same food without pressure, again and again

📖 How to do it

Offer the food at least 10–15 times
Without comment or pressure
Always in a small amount

💡 Tip

A child may need to see a food 15–20 times before accepting it. That's perfectly normal!

Click to see details ▼

✓ Practised

🎨

Sensory play

Explore foods through play, with no obligation to eat

📖 How to do it

Paint with coloured purées
Make prints, drawings
Sort, stack, squash

💡 Example

Use beetroot purée as paint, pasta to make necklaces, vegetables as stamping tools.

Click to see details ▼

✓ Practised

👀

Modelling (imitation)

An adult or peer eats the food in front of the child

📖 How to do it

Eat the same food with enjoyment
Describe it positively ("Mmm, it's crunchy!")
Do not insist they taste it

💡 Tip

Peers (siblings, friends) are often more effective than adults for modelling.

Click to see details ▼

✓ Practised

✂️

Micro-portions

Start with tiny, almost invisible amounts

📖 How to do it

Start with a grain-of-rice-sized amount
Increase very gradually
Mix into an accepted food

💡 Example

A micro-drop of tomato sauce in the mash, then 2, then 3... until it lightly colours it.

Click to see details ▼

✓ Practised

👨‍🍳

Cooking involvement

Get the child involved in preparing meals

📖 How to do it

Wash vegetables
Mix ingredients
Choose at the supermarket

💡 Why it works

The child takes ownership of the food, feels proud of their creation and is more willing to taste "their" dish.

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📋 Desensitisation protocol — Click to tick the steps

Observe and identify

Note accepted and refused foods and problematic textures. Understand the child's sensory profile.

Choose a target food

Select ONE food close to an accepted one (same colour, texture, or food group).

Expose without pressure

The food is present at the table; the adult eats it with enjoyment. No demand is made of the child.

Encourage exploration

Invite them to touch, smell, play with it. Celebrate every positive interaction.

Invite tasting

When the child is ready, offer a micro-portion. Accept refusal without any negative comment.

Repeat and generalise

Continue exposure, vary presentations, then move on to the next food.

🖨️ Mini-cards to print

Print these cards and keep them in the kitchen as a quick reference!

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Chaining

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Repetition

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Sensory play

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Modelling

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Micro-portions

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Cook together

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Oral Desensitisation Cardsby DYNSEO

🃏 The 6 key techniques — Click = details · Green button = practised

📋 Desensitisation protocol — Click to tick the steps

Observe and identify

Choose a target food

Expose without pressure

Encourage exploration

Invite tasting

Repeat and generalise

🖨️ Mini-cards to print

📝 Session notes

🧠 Train your brain with DYNSEO

🎯 Desensitisation Report

Oral Desensitisation Cards
by DYNSEO