Pediatric Feeding Therapy
Feeding therapy, also known as food therapy, is a specialized form of therapy that addresses difficulties or challenges related to eating, feeding, and swallowing. Feeding therapy, is provided by a trained occupational or speech therapist to teach your child how to eat or eat better. During the evaluation process, we will discover your child’s underlying issues to eating. This may be sensory, motor, or a combination of both.
Feeding Therapy for Children
Does my Child Need Feeding Therapy?
If your child is experiencing challenges during mealtime, it might be time to consider an evaluation for feeding therapy. Here are some common signs that could indicate the need for professional support:
- Picky Eater
- Difficulty Chewing
- Gags
- Chokes / Coughs while eating
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Poor Nutrition
- Only eats one texture or food type
- Poor self regulation at meal time
- Is not gaining weight or growing
- Refuses to eat or drink
- Spits up or throws up a lot
- Cries or fusses, or arches back when feeding
- Has trouble breathing while eating or drinking
- Has problems chewing or coughs or gags during meals
- Has a gurgle or breathy or hoarse voice during or after meals
- challenges with breastfeeding, bottle-feeding,
- difficulty transitioning to solid foods.
Feeding therapy can address these issues by identifying the underlying causes—whether sensory, motor, or a combination of both—and creating a personalized plan to help your child thrive. Early intervention can make a significant difference in your child’s relationship with food and overall well-being.
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Feeding Therapy for Kids: Who can Benefit ?
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Bell’s Palsy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down Syndrome
- Facial Weakness
- Feeding Difficulties
- GERD/GER
- Sensory processing disorder
- Picky eaters
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE),
- Swallowing disorders,
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cancer of head and neck
