Pediatric Feeding Therapy Services

Our feeding team, comprised of Speech Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, apply principles from advanced training (Sequential-Oral-Sensory “SOS”, Beckman Oral Motor, etc) to evaluate and treat patients with feeding concerns. We work with children who experience difficulty with acceptance of new foods/textures, commonly referred to as “Problem Feeders”, as well as patients who have feeding disorders, known as dysphagia.

Click on the tabs below to learn more about problem feeders and dysphagia.

The following are some causes of feeding and swallowing disorders in children:

• nervous system disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, meningitis, encephalopathy)
• gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., reflux, “short gut” syndrome)
• prematurity and/or low birth weight (history of intubation or feeding tube)
• heart disease
• cleft lip and/or palate
• conditions affecting the airway
• autism
• head and neck abnormalities
• muscle weakness in the face and neck
• multiple medical problems
• respiratory difficulties
• medications that may cause lethargy or decreased appetite
• problems with parent-child interactions at meal times
• Sensory Processing Disorder

To assist you with getting the most out of your first feeding therapy visit, please print and complete the age appropriate evaluation form:

1. Feeding Evaluation Questionnaire 0 – 6 Years 
2. Feeding Evaluation Questionnaire 7 Years and older 

In order to obtain a clear picture of your child’s needs, our therapists will complete an evaluation.  We will obtain medical history and a food diary, discuss symptoms, and gather information regarding overall development.  The therapist will then conduct an assessment to look at the strength and movement of the muscles involved in the oral phase of feeding as well as observe feeding to see your child’ s posture, behavior, and oral movements during eating and drinking.

If feeding therapy is recommended, we will work closely with both the child and family to develop an individualized treatment plan. The following are examples of areas that may be the focus of intervention:

• making the muscles of the mouth stronger including the jaw, lips and tongue
• increasing tongue movement to better control food inside the oral cavity
• improving chewing for various types of textures including soft and crunchy
• strengthening the core muscles that promote optimal positioning for feeding
• increasing acceptance of different foods and liquids
• improving sucking and/or drinking ability
• providing sensory input to increase awareness or decrease sensitivity in and around the mouth
• improving self feeding skills