What an AbilityScore of 700–800 means in feeding selectivity

Seeing your child's AbilityScore® land in the 700–800 band can feel like a turning point — so let's read it together, warmly and clearly.

In short

An AbilityScore® of 700–800 for Sensory-Based Feeding Selectivity generally reflects a child who is doing well — eating a broadening range of foods and textures, with sensory responses that are settling and mealtimes that are becoming calmer and more flexible. It is an encouraging, reassuring band that points towards consolidating gains rather than intensive intervention. Importantly, the score is a snapshot measured against your own child's baseline — not a pass mark, and not a diagnosis.

What this band tends to mean

The AbilityScore® is a clinician-administered structured assessment, and a band is read in context with your clinician — never in isolation. In the 700–800 range, families often see:

• A wider food repertoire — more accepted textures, colours and temperatures than before.
• Lower mealtime distress — fewer refusals, gagging or strong reactions to new foods.
• Better flexibility — your child can try something new with support, and recover quickly if it doesn't go to plan.
• More everyday participation — eating at family meals, at school or with others becoming easier.

A band is not a finish line. Feeding development moves in spurts and plateaus, so the band shows where your child is now and helps your clinician decide whether to taper support, maintain gentle goals, or watch a specific texture or nutrient group more closely.

The Pinnacle way

Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care — never from an online form or a number alone. Our feeding and occupational therapy team reads this band alongside your child's history, growth and daily mealtimes, then agrees the next gentle step with you. With 25 million+ therapy sessions behind our approach and progress always measured against your child's own baseline, the score becomes a tool for clarity — not a label.

Trusted sources

WHO ICD-11 (6B83, feeding and eating); American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on feeding and mealtime development; American Speech-Language-Hearing Association on paediatric feeding; Pinnacle Blooms Network clinical studies.

Next step — A band is best understood with the clinician who measured it. Book a feeding review to interpret your child's score and agree the next gentle goal.