Eddie, 6, and Jerwaun, 4, are both charting a new course toward food exploration through colors and textures in La Rabida’s newest outpatient feeding therapy program, Little Rainbow Explorers.

The program includes a therapeutic feeding group for patients who need sensory support to explore new foods of different colors and textures in a low-pressure environment with kids on a similar journey. 

Ten weeks ago, Eddie could only tolerate drinking nutritional shakes as his main source of nutrition. Jerwaun ate some fruits and “beige” foods, like chips and crackers.  

Now, Jerwaun uses an orange to show Speech-Language Pathologist Liz B., just how much fun he’s having. Across the table, Eddie uses food-related pretend play with a toy mouth to show Senior Speech-Language Pathologist Olivia H. how he likes to explore his bright red strawberries.   

“When we first started, it was hard to get him to eat anything,” says Jerwaun’s mom, Keyonna. “It makes me so happy to see him eating. We can go grocery shopping, and he’s even picking out what he wants to eat. His favorite fruit is a banana!” 

Patients start the session with free play, where they meet each other, learn, and engage their senses through reading, looking, and touching toys, foods, and other kitchen items. By design, the session transitions seamlessly into the therapy kitchen, where our team uses positive language to build our patients’ confidence in exploring new foods.  

“The goal is to expand their food inventory and be comfortable with learning about different types of food,” says Olivia. “Each week, we are making progress using the colors of the rainbow to make mealtime a fun and positive experience.”  

“We go from identifying foods and their properties to touching them, then putting them to our lips, kissing them, taking a bite, and now they feel comfortable exploring nutritious foods,” says Liz. “We want our patients and families to feel comfortable and know that we are here for them.” 

The kitchen is set up with colorful fruits and vegetables, plus activities that support the sensory steps our patients need to reach their next goal. 

“Eddie gets so excited when he can socialize,” says Eddie’s mom, Rachel. “He’s made so much progress, and it’s only because of how Liz and Olivia are so helpful in knowing what he needs.”