What is a characteristic of a motor-based feeding disorder?

A motor-based feeding disorder is primarily characterized by physical difficulties that affect the ability to eat and swallow effectively. In this context, deficits that interfere with the ability to swallow can encompass a range of issues, including problems with coordination of the muscles used in swallowing or conditions affecting oral motor skills. This may lead to unsafe swallowing, aspiration, or the inability to manage the texture or volume of food being consumed.

In contrast, preferences in food selection or dislikes for specific tastes generally relate to sensory or psychological factors rather than motor function. Pain during eating, while potentially relevant to a variety of disorders, does not specifically indicate a motor-based issue but may rather suggest gastrointestinal or orofacial problems. Sensory aversions to certain tastes again point towards issues not primarily related to motor skills, which is why they do not fit within the defining characteristics of a motor-based feeding disorder.