Feeding Therapy

 If feeding or mealtimes is a struggle for your child including  feeding tube weaning, ask your pediatrician for a referral to feeding therapy. Frequent problems parents report that we treat include:

• Failure to thrive
• Poor suck/latch
• Food selectivity
• Mealtime tantrums
• Poor food or liquid intake
• Swallowing problems
• Gagging or choking
• Sensitivity to food textures
• Poor transitions to table foods
• Poor chewing 
• Oral motor weakness

We take a holistic approach to feeding therapy addressing the physical, emotional, and social needs of our clients & families.  We start by consulting with you and your child to problem solve challenges. Our therapists are trained to utilize multiple treatment approaches based on the child's needs. These can include the SOS Method, sensory integration, the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, food chaining, and behavioral approaches. 

  A feeding evaluation includes reviewing the child’s feeding history, parent reports, observing the child eating a typical meal, and sometimes a food intake journal. We will review a recent swallow study if there is a history of aspiration or dysphagia. Using this information, we can help rule out oral motor dysfunction, dysphagia, sensory challenges, and physiological problems that may be impeding your child's eating. We refer to GI, developmental pediatrics, ENT, nutritionist, or other specialist as needed as part of the feeding team approach.