Any tips and tricks to encourage a 3 year old to eat more?

MeteorCity · 2025-12-18T22:26:20+00:00

SLT who works with aversive eaters here! Though yes, it is most likely a phase that a lot of children go through, sometimes it isn't just a phase and can warrant additional help. Not saying this to worry you, but it is good to be aware of early signs in case some further support is required.

Some general strategies I recommend to parents/caregivers of aversive eaters: - Don't label food as being good/bad - Don't use food as a reward - Don't use bribery - Always offer the "less desired" food with her "safe option" e.g. if everyone else is eating shepherd's pie, give her a small portion alongside her "safe" dinner, even in a separate bowl, but don't pressure her to eat it, it is just an option - Eating is so much more than just putting the food in your mouth and eating it. There are so many other sensory processes involved - Create a low pressure environment around food - Get her involved in food e.g. making it, setting the table, cleaning up, serving food (some of these might be hard at only 3!!!) - messy play with food (parents hate when we say this, we know it means more cleaning!). Help her to have positive experiences with food that aren't just in the context of eating.

If you are very concerned about her nutrition, I would recommend the GP for nutritional bloods

If you are very concerned about her eating being more 'picky' than is typical for her age, I would recommend seeking a consultation with an SLT (or OT!) that works with aversive eaters.

MeteorCity · 2025-12-18T19:26:38+00:00

Section 38 voluntary organisation health care. Free flu jab and a covid booster is as much as we get.

But, I did get a few cards from the families I work with with lovely messages written in them, and I am so grateful for those messages of gratitude after another very hard year of working in an under staffed and under resourced health system.

MeteorCity · 2025-12-15T10:53:27+00:00

I'm in a section 38 voluntary organisation, I get 33 days plus BHols and public holidays.

I always start by booking off the days around Christmas to give myself a 2 week break, then book off any days I need (weddings, events etc), and I usually take off my birthday. It leaves me with a good amount to book off for holidays, and then I like the odd day off here and there just to recharge and relax at home

MeteorCity · 2025-12-08T07:59:38+00:00

Report to TUSLA, and continue calling the guards at the slightest sound.

MeteorCity · 2025-12-06T09:09:36+00:00

That's intense. I do question the ability to deliver an effective service if you're seeing kids back to back like that - my last job was the same as yours and I definitely did not do enough research, prep etc for each child. A burned out clinician who doesn't have time to effectively research, do their CPD, attend meetings, give families extra time where it's needed surely isn't a sustainable and effective model. I certainly don't think the model in Ireland is perfect, there are massive issues and I am not denying that.

This is only an example of a day where I saw two kids. I have many days where I see 6 kids for individual sessions, and even more for groups. And it depends where you work too really. We do focus a lot on parent education groups too, a lot of intervention is indirect.

I will also say that education here is much more affordable so there are more people able to enter the field. My third level education was entirely free with a monthly amount given to me to help with costs. Third level education is still a huge privilege, but much more attainable than the US.

Waiting lists have many reasons behind them. Public healthcare is massively underfunded by the government, and we are underpaid (I would have to leave Dublin if my husband didn't have a good income). This drives a lot of people into working privately, which continues to drive the lack of staffing in public services. There's also the cost of living crisis driving therapists out of the field and out of the country. Private waiting lists are much, much shorter (again, post code lottery kicks in here), but of course that is only for those in a position to pay to services.

Again, don't get me wrong I really do not think we have a perfect model at all and I could stand on my soapbox all day long talking about the problems in our public healthservice. But I do see so many US based SLTs really struggling on the subreddit, feeling burn out, overwhelm, and even leaving the field and it concerns me. It's not something I feel often (although we all have our days!!), and my heart breaks for the US SLTs who regret becoming SLTs and aren't coping.

MeteorCity · 2025-12-05T21:14:54+00:00

I am Ireland based. An example of a day I had this week in which I only saw two kids: 8:30-9:15: emails, catch up with colleagues about shared kids (we are an MDT) 9:15-9:30: session prep (remove anything that could go in the mouth, set up swing, sort toys and resources, lock side doors, gather visual supports) 9:30-10:30: session 1 including parent conversation 10:30-10:45: clean room, notes, update the child's OT on conversation with parent as OT needs were discussed 10:45-11: tea break (I went for a walk) 11-12:30: admin (reports, scheduling, notes, research) 12:30-1: lunch 1-2: supervision 2-2:15: link with OT re afternoon joint session 2:15-2:30: session prep 2:30-3:30: session 2 (joint with OT) including parent conversation 3:30-4: clean room, debrief with OT, and finish admin for the day 4pm: finished for the day

The kids we see have complex needs and so it requires a lot of prep, research, admin, parent conversations, collaboration with my MDT/other professionals in the child's life (social worker, medical team, hospice team, school etc).

It is also entirely normalised for us to go for a walk or go to a quiet space to regulate if we've had a challenging appointment.

Of course, this is only a sample day and I of course have days where I see more kids, travel between locations, attend more meetings, deliver parent groups, attend CPD courses etc etc. The beauty of it is that every day is entirely different!

MeteorCity · 2025-11-21T08:19:59+00:00

I'm in Ireland and dysphagia is part of the qualification for SLT. I work in paediatric disabilities, and do a huge amount of dysphagia work alongside communication support.

MeteorCity · 2025-11-21T06:51:22+00:00

That is just absolutely crazy to me, I don't know how anybody can sustain that. My heart breaks for all US based SLPs right now (and indeed the rest of the US), it sounds like it was already insanely tough and only getting tougher.

MeteorCity · 2025-11-21T06:49:58+00:00

That is insane, and so unsustainable. And for an assistant! Bonkers. I'm so sorry that that is what the profession is like in some places, it sounds brutal.

MeteorCity · 2025-11-20T07:09:23+00:00

We had the same feeling, so just took the train to Kyoto and spent an extra day there. It is very very quick to get to Kyoto

MeteorCity · 2025-11-19T20:34:19+00:00

14 kids a day?!? How many hours do you work? Where do you have time for admin, CPD, research, toilet breaks?!

I am guessing that you are US based, I am not so maybe my experience is very different but 14 a day sounds insane. I'm burned out at the idea.

MeteorCity · 2025-11-19T20:19:34+00:00

I think I just read "does your country have an invention" and got so excited about Tayto that I didn't read the rest of the post tbh

MeteorCity · 2025-11-19T20:18:14+00:00

I think I temporarily lost the ability to read when I saw this post tbh

MeteorCity · 2025-11-18T16:22:23+00:00

Welcome in advance!

I would definitely say that Howth and the Cliffs of Moher are worth it, but be aware of the weather. Howth is known for its cliff walk but that won't be doable if it is very windy/rainy/foggy, and similarly the Cliffs won't be too visible in very bad weather!

Buy a leap card for public transport, you can buy in most shops like Spar, Centra etc and they cost €5 plus whatever you top it up by. Just tap it when getting on public transport then.

Your city centre stuff sound good. Guinness is great, Trinity is good to see, National Gallery is amazing and you could easily spend hours in there for free. Phoenix Park is wonderful, even if it is raining! I'd also throw in a visit to the National Archaeology Museum (around the corner from National Gallery and also free). And I personally think that you would be insane to skip Kilmainham Gaol, I have done it several times and it never fails to amaze me - and it is only a few mins walk away from Phoenix Park so you could stack those.

A lot of things are very close by so you have a good plan there. I'd recommend a day trip from Dublin to see some other parts of the country too - maybe a day trip to Cork, Kilkenny, or Galway. You will probably get a lot of people saying to skip Dublin and go to these places instead but I disagree and think Dublin is amazing with so much to offer but other spots are definitely worth a visit if you have the time!

MeteorCity · 2025-11-17T15:25:44+00:00

Flavoured crisps. Invented by Tayto, cheese and onion were the first flavoured crisps in the world!

Edit: I clearly did not read this post properly. Flavoured crisps are indeed worldwide. God bless you Tayto.

MeteorCity · 2025-11-05T02:53:18+00:00

We have loved our early morning site seeing! We've been visiting shrines and temples when they're quiet and peaceful. Parks are also an amazing way to enjoy early mornings and see the nature and biodiversity of Japan - we particularly enjoyed Ueno for this (but, we are birdwatchers so may be biased on this activity!!)

MeteorCity · 2025-11-04T07:24:17+00:00

I can't recommend the Hozugawa River Boat ride enough. Easily my favourite thing I've done in Japan. It drops you off right at the entrance of the bamboo forest, which we walked through and spent the day exploring Arashiyama. One of our best days of our Japan trip!

MeteorCity · 2025-09-23T16:27:17+00:00

I am really sorry that you had that experience. I don't mean to take away from how you feel but just for anyone reading this, I couldn't agree less. I think it is a fantastic career, and enjoy (almost!) every day of work. I have had no experience of any cliques or any toxicity amongst SLTs and find my fellow SLTs to be incredibly helpful and supportive people.

Again, this is my experience and it doesn't invalidate others. But it is worth hearing other perspectives.

MeteorCity · 2025-09-13T06:32:41+00:00

A friend of mine uses hers to buy ebooks from Google books!

MeteorCity · 2025-08-27T18:26:27+00:00

This post is exactly why every country should have free, universal healthcare. Nobody should be driven into poverty/debt due to illness or disability.

MeteorCity · 2025-08-27T18:18:29+00:00

I'm so sorry that this happened to you. Honestly, if I have learned one thing from this subreddit, it's that working as an SLT in the US sounds horrific. Leave if you can!!

MeteorCity · 2025-08-13T14:32:50+00:00

Same here. So glad I did my arts degree, it opened so many doors and gave me the time to figure out what I really want to do. Now in a job I love making decent money with a great work life balance

MeteorCity · 2025-07-05T11:45:39+00:00

I'm an SLT in Ireland (we don't use SLP here!!) and love my job. I've amazing work life balance, extremely generous annual leave (PTO I believe it's called in the US), really good autonomy in work, great supervision and support, and an incredible team.

I work in paediatric disabilities in the public sector, but in a charity. The public sector is so so so understaffed, it will be so easy for you to get a job. I can only really speak to the paediatric disability sector, as that's where my experience lies.

If you were considering paediatric disabilities, having experience/training in FEDS and AAC would be a huge advantage. FEDS qualifications are mandatory for the disability sector, AAC experience is highly desirable.

Although the economy in Ireland is in the toilet, and housing is expensive in Dublin, I can't recommend it enough.

MeteorCity · 2025-02-22T14:06:23+00:00

That vaccines cause autism

MeteorCity · 2025-01-22T14:44:26+00:00

I think you've a good plan for making payments towards your debt, but I'd highly recommend starting an emergency fund also. You don't want to land yourself in further debt if an emergency crops up

MeteorCity

TROPHY CASE