# Sensory-Based Feeding Selectivity vs Rett Syndrome Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-rett-syndrome-in-young-children Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited Sensory-based feeding selectivity is a sensory and behavioural eating pattern — a child eats a narrow range of foods because of how foods feel, smell or look, while the rest of development usually moves along typically. Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental condition (often MECP2-linked, mainly in girls) marked by loss of skills after early typical development, especially purposeful hand use replaced by repetitive hand movements, with broad whole-body effects. Feeding difficulty in Rett syndrome is one strand of a much larger picture, so any sign of losing skills warrants prompt review. *One is about a child finding certain foods genuinely hard to tolerate — the other is a rare genetic condition that changes how a child grows and moves. They are worlds apart.* ## In short **Sensory-based feeding selectivity** describes a child who eats only a narrow range of foods because of how foods *feel, smell, look or sound* — the wet texture of a banana, the crunch of a biscuit, mixed-up textures on one spoon. It is about sensory comfort, not the body's machinery. **Rett syndrome** is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental condition (most often linked to the *MECP2* gene, mainly affecting girls) where a child develops typically for the first months, then shows a slowing or loss of skills — including purposeful hand use, which is replaced by repetitive hand movements. In short: feeding selectivity is a *sensory and behavioural eating pattern*; Rett syndrome is a *whole-body genetic condition* in which feeding difficulty, if present, is just one part of a much larger picture. ## How they differ in everyday life With **sensory-based feeding selectivity**, the rest of your child's development usually moves along well — they walk, play, use their hands, babble or talk on track. The challenge is focused on mealtimes: gagging at new textures, eating only beige or crunchy foods, refusing foods that touch, or needing the same brand or plate. These children are often growing and learning typically; food is simply a sensory hurdle that responsive feeding support and graded exposure can ease over time. With **Rett syndrome**, the story is different and broader. After an early period of seemingly typical development, families often notice a *regression* — a child who used to reach, grasp and point begins losing those hand skills, and characteristic repetitive hand movements (wringing, clapping, mouthing) appear. There may be slowing head growth, changes in walking or muscle tone, breathing irregularities while awake, and feeding or swallowing difficulty as one strand among many. The concern here is global, not just at the table. ## When to seek help For feeding selectivity, speak with a clinician if your child eats fewer than around 20 foods, is dropping whole food groups, gags or distresses badly at mealtimes, or is not gaining weight well. For any sign of *losing* skills your child once had — especially hand use, alongside repetitive hand movements or slowing head growth — seek a prompt developmental and paediatric review, as regression is always a reason to be seen sooner rather than later. ## The Pinnacle way This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care, never from an app or form. Our team looks at the whole child — how they eat, move, use their hands and grow — and matches support accordingly, drawing on [occupational therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/best-occupational-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) for sensory feeding work and broader developmental care where a wider picture emerges. Learn more about [sensory-based feeding selectivity](/sensory-feeding-selectivity). ## Trusted sources The World Health Organization's ICD on Rett syndrome classification; the American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren on feeding development and developmental regression; ASHA on feeding and swallowing in young children. **Next step —** Worried about your child's eating or noticing any loss of skills? Book a developmental screening and let a Pinnacle clinician look at the whole picture. ## Sources - WHO ICD — Rett syndrome classification: https://icd.who.int - AAP HealthyChildren — feeding and developmental milestones: https://www.healthychildren.org - ASHA — feeding and swallowing in young children: https://www.asha.org ## Connected topics and perspectives - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Sensory: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/sensory - Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/definition - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Understand the subject - Developmental Regression vs Sensory-Based Feeding Selectivity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-regression-and-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-in-young-children - Genetic / Chromosomal Syndromes vs Sensory-Based Feeding Selectivity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-genetic-chromosomal-syndromes-and-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-in-young-children - Sensory Feeding Selectivity vs Sensory Processing Differences: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-sensory-processing-differences-in-young-children - Down Syndrome vs Sensory-Based Feeding Selectivity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-down-syndrome-and-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-in-young-children - Sensory Feeding Selectivity vs Stereotyped Movement Disorder: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-stereotyped-movement-disorder-in-young-children - Sensory Feeding Selectivity vs Social Communication Difficulties: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-social-communication-difficulties-in-young-children - Sensory Feeding Selectivity vs Childhood Sleep Difficulties: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-childhood-sleep-difficulties-in-young-children - Sensory Feeding Selectivity vs Persistent Toe-Walking: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-persistent-toe-walking-in-young-children - Sensory Feeding Selectivity vs Prematurity Developmental Risk: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-prematurity-related-developmental-risk-in-young-children - Sensory Feeding Selectivity vs School Readiness Gap: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-school-readiness-gap-in-young-children - Sensory-Based Feeding Selectivity vs Selective Mutism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-selective-mutism-in-young-children - Sensory Feeding Selectivity vs Self-Regulation Difficulties: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-sensory-based-feeding-selectivity-and-self-regulation-difficulties-in-young-children