Feeding Therapy Services
Our holistic approach nurtures healthy relationships with food through specialized therapy.
Speech and occupational therapists collaborate to ensure feeding success for your child.
Feeding is one of the most intricate activities our children engage in from birth, requiring the harmonious coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing reflexes. Our team of occupational therapists and speech therapists work collaboratively to assess and address feeding challenges. We take a comprehensive approach, considering:
- Underlying motor and sensory issues affecting breathing, eating, and articulation
- Potential structural concerns, such as tongue or lip ties
- The child's emotional readiness and comfort level with eating
During the initial intake, our team will guide you through the assessment process. Depending on your child's needs, you may meet with a speech and language therapist, myofunctional therapist, or our occupational therapy feeding specialists. We understand that feeding is an emotional activity, requiring children to feel calm, safe, and successful. Our occupational therapists are trained in the SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) approach to feeding, which allows us to expand a child's diet and sensory experiences positively.
Throughout the process, we work closely with you and, when necessary, collaborate with other specialists to ensure a comprehensive evaluation before creating a tailored plan of action. Parent participation and emotional support are central to our program's success. By addressing the multifaceted aspects of feeding, we aim to empower children to develop healthy relationships with food and their bodies, setting the stage for a lifetime of nourishment and well-being.