Research shows that 1 out of 5 children have difficulty learning to eat between birth and 7 years of age. Only half of those children will outgrow their feeding challenges without skilled intervention. We use a variety of programs to help your child and your family approach mealtimes with less anxiety and more confidence. Focus on the holistic experience of eating, sensations surrounding food and play-based methods result in more exploration of foods in a fun and safe environment.

If you or your child's doctor have concerns about your child's feeding skills, you should contact a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with feeding training. Following a comprehensive evaluation of a your child’s physiological state, motor skills, oral-motor skills and sensory needs, feeding treatment, if needed, will be based on your child’s needs. You will be an active participant in the process from the beginning steps all the way through to home plans that are designed to help your child generalize their new skills to their most natural environments.

who could benefit from feeding evaluation/treatment?

(based on “Red Flags” and “Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders” lists by Dr. Kay Toomey)

  • A child who is tube fed

  • A child described as a picky eater at more than 2 check-ups

  • A child 10 months old who is having difficulty transitioning to baby food purees

  • A child with a history of bad reflux or vomiting

  • A child who is not maintaining a growth curve (poor weight gain or weight loss)

  • A child who finds mealtime stressful or a family that feels mealtimes are a “battle”

  • A child having difficulty transitioning from bottle to cup

  • A child having difficulty exploring foods with his/her eyes, hands, nose and tongue

  • A child who is 16 months old and still eating only pureed baby foods and no table foods

  • A child with a history of difficulty breathing while eating as an infant

  • A child experiencing difficulty sitting in a high chair during meals

  • A child experiencing difficulty eating in a variety of settings

  • A child who gags, coughs or chokes regularly during meals

  • A child with a history of a traumatic choking incident

  • A child 12 months old not yet accepting solid table foods

  • A child who tends to cry or fall apart when new foods are introduced to the plate

  • A child who exhibits aversion or avoidance of all foods in a specific texture or nutrition group

  • A child with a food range of less that 20 foods

  • An infant who cries and/or arches at most meals

  • A family with a history of a parental eating disorder and a child not meeting weight goals

    • Important note: the parent is not causing these problems, but could benefit from extra support with feeding

How does feeding therapy work?

We begin with an extensive evaluation to assess your child’s current feeding skills and needs. This includes a comprehensive intake form to learn more about your child's journey with feeding/eating and any concerns you may have.  We schedule feeding evaluations around your child's typical eating schedule and ask you to bring 3 of your child's preferred food items and 3 of your child's non-preferred food items to the clinic that day.  The assessment will occur as a natural eating experience with you and your child.  We will develop a specific feeding plan of care, any needed recommendations and treatment schedule for your child based off of our observations in the assessment.

Most clients will benefit from an individualized 12 week program that can be repeated if needed to continue addressing feeding needs.

Have more questions? Schedule a session with us or call us at 801.217.3390

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