Feeding Therapy

Mealtime is different for every family. When picky eating becomes problem feeding, we are here to help! At HLC Therapy Group, we take a family-centered approach to feeding to find a way to make food work for you! 

 

RED FLAGS FOR PROBLEM FEEDING

• A limited amount of foods in their diet (30 or less)

• Refusal of entire food groups or food consistencies

• Difficulty biting, chewing and/or swallowing foods

• Over-responsive reactions to new foods (tantrums, gagging, vomiting, etc.)

• Foods eaten previously are “lost” from their diet

• Mealtimes consistently taking more than 30 minutes to complete

• Feeding and swallowing milestones according to the American Speech and Hearing Association (click here)

 

Feeding is a whole body activity and you may work with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists to support your child’s feeding. 

 

WHAT IS A PHYSICAL THERAPIST''S ROLE?

Physical therapists (PT) help children develop gross motor and basic movement skills. Providing support for strength and coordination will help your child to have the appropriate postural stability required for feeding. 

 

WHAT IS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST'S ROLE?

Occupational therapy (OT) helps children become more independent in their daily living activities including self-feeding, self-cleaning (wiping hands and face), and tolerating a variety of sensory experiences.

 

WHAT IS A SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST'S ROLE?

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) are communication and swallowing specialists. An SLP helps teach safe biting, chewing, and swallowing, provides techniques to expand diet and reduce aversions, and supports safe oral feeding.