Domain: Gustatory Input:
What does the gustatory system do?
It helps us to discriminate our food by taste and not smell. When we are getting accurate gustatory
feedback we are able to discriminate between different types or the same textured food such as grape
or cherry applesauce. Our gustatory system also acts as a warning system to let us know when our food
has gone bad such as milk or meat.
What can individuals with gustatory challenges look like? Individuals with gustatory challenges can be
reluctant to try different foods that they are not familiar with. They might also try a food and spit it out
if they do not think that it tastes like they had anticipated that it should taste. Some individuals are so
defensive that they might even throw up if they accidently see or feel the texture of some food that is
aversive to them.
Following are examples of items that might help with trying foods:
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©Sensory Scholar 2013
There are several companies now making fun eating ware for kids. I like this company because the
sections give visual cues and there are arrows on their eating wear that help the child know how to push
against the plate to fill the spoon or the fork. Construction ware and a garden plate and utensils are
only a couple of the specialized productos on the market. For this product look on line under
construction ware or at Weavers Dept. Store in Lawrence Kansas or Murphys Dept. Store in Stilwater
Oklahoma . ©Sensory Scholar 2013
The utensils for the construction ware are a tractor fork a tractor spoon and a bulldozer pusher to help
load the fork and spoon. The garden ware utensils are modeled after garden tools. Available from
Weavers Dept. Store in Lawrence Kansas, Murphys Dept. Store in Stilwater Oklahoma and online
under construction ware. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
Together it is a great set to encourage those picky eaters. Sometimes fun eating ware will help to
motivate a child to try new foods. There are several companies now making fun eating ware for kids. I
like this company because the sections give visual cues and there are arrows on their eating wear that
help the child know how to push against the plate to fill the spoon or the fork. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
Fun cooking utensil help developing interest and motivation in both eating and cooking. Available at
Hobby Lobby or online Animal House Boston Warehouse. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
Fun pull ties are available on line or at Walmart. They are a Kizmon product and are great for kids with
motor planning problems or hand strength problems. It is a fun product to increase independence with
food package closures. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
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Wonder bread decruster is a safe way to have the students cut the crust off of their own bread. It was
purchased at Walmart. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
Ladybug cutting board online from Animal House Boston Warehouse. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
Health food stores sell nice disposable silverware that is free from plastics and are petroleum free.
Make sure and check often discount stores carry plastic products that are processed with gluten.
©Sensory Scholar 2013
Health food stores also sell disposable plates and cups that are not made with dyes or gluten.
©Sensory Scholar 2013
This is a fun Kikkerland tea strainer. It can be purchased online. I use it with my cooking groups to
make tea. They just sit the monkey in the cup and his arms sit on the rim of the cup. ©Sensory Scholar
2013
This is a fun drying rack from boon. It was purchased from The Sweet Pea in Lawrence Kansas, but is
also available online. I use it air drying everything from feeding equipment to Camel drink carriers. It
looks like a grassy lawn. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
The Boon flower stems are great to put in the drying rack to dry small parts.
These water fountains are available online from ELKAY and fill water bottles for the students to keep at
their desks to help with focusing. For students who have eye-motor challenges this water fountain is
very helpful. This picture was taken at Town and Country School in Tulsa Oklahoma. See our website at
Town and Country School in Tulsa it has all kinds of cool stuff on it. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
These nice little portion packers at Walmart or Target help kids to feel like they have a prepackaged
snackable meal. For kids on a special diet this helps them to feel they get something special. I know
firsthand how hard it is to be on a special diet. For me special gluten free treats every now and then are
something special. Filling these containers for kids with a few favorite special foods would be a nice
change. ©Sensory scholar 2013
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Fun plates by French Bull purchased at Murphys Department Store in Stillwater, Ok. And online.
Another fun alternative to normal lunchtime. Plates like these can be very motivating to get kids more
involved in meals. ©Sensory Scholar
Fun dining ware by Present Time available from Murphys Department Store in Stillwater, Ok.
©Sensory Scholar 2013
Hutzler Banana Slicer is a favorite during my cooking groups. I purchased mine from Murphys
Department Store in Stillwater, Oklahoma. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
JOLE Piggy Wiggy cooking tongs are fun for not only picking up French fries, but also help increase interhand strength when using them. You can pick up other things with these tongs like cotton balls, small
toys. A child could use them to serve themselves during family style meals. The novelty of the item
might encourage eating. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
Little Squirts are great for kids on special diets who like to feel like they are drinking from a juice box like
their friends. This one came from Murphys Dept. Store in Stillwater, Ok. And they are also available
online. These are very durable and portable and a nice choice for backpacks and lunchboxes. ©Sensory
Scholar 2013
Animal House by Boston Warehouse turtle grader is a fun way for kids to participate in cooking. I found
this one at Hobby Lobby, but they can be ordered online. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
The kids in my cooking groups love this egg scrambler from Murphys Dept. Store in Stillwater, Ok. It is
also available online. This egg scrambler includes an egg separator. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
This dwink was purchased at Murphys Dept. Store in Stillwater, Ok. And is a great way to help stabilize
a juice box to prevent squeezing too tight and spilling. It also is a nice way to reinforce using both hands
at the same time (bilateral coordination). ©Sensory Scholar 2013
This is a teafu that I use during cooking groups you scoop up the tea leaves and squeeze the handle to
brew the tea and then you can let it set and seep for a while. This is made by Dreamfarm and sold at
Murphys Department Store in Stillwater, Oklahoma. My older students like this product and protects
their hands from the hot tea water. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
You push a lever and the Teafu opens easily. It is fun and useful. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
Look closely this is a cutting board it is and not a tablet. It is a fun portable cutting board if you have a
special diet and need to prepare food on the go. ©Sensory Scholar 2013
little elephant dish brush from Animal House by Boston Warehouse used to scrub veggies or clean
dishes. This is a fun way to get kids involved in cooking and cleaning up. ©Sensory scholar 2013
This GYRO Bowl keeps foods from spilling. This one object will save meltdowns and lost snacks. This
came from Walgreens Pharmacy. Sensory Scholar 2013
This pop chief is a fun way to get children involved in playing with foods. It is a different approach to
eating meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables. Walgreens carries this product. You can also purchase them
online. ©Sensory Scholar 2013