Physical Therapy — Speech Therapy — Occupational Therapy — Feeding Therapy For Infants & Children

Feeding Therapy

Our Pediatric Feeding Therapy program is designed to support children facing a variety of feeding challenges. We offer Feeding Therapy for Picky Eaters, as well as specialized intervention for Oral Motor Dysfunction, Pediatric Dysphagia (Swallowing Disorders), and Gagging or Choking While Eating. Our therapists work with children experiencing Sensory Aversion, Food Texture Sensitivities, and difficulties with the Bottle-to-Cup Transition. We provide targeted therapy for Chewing Difficulties, children with Feeding Tubes, and those experiencing Silent Aspiration. Additionally, we address feeding issues related to Tongue Tie & Lip Tie, ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), and provide Feeding Therapy for Autism to ensure a supportive, individualized approach for every child’s needs.

 

Parents of children who have feeding difficulties are often faced with a challenging situation.  Because the interplay between nutrition, gastrointestinal health, and a child’s experience of food can be complicated, there is rarely an easy solution when a feeding problem arises.  Through a series of questions, our therapy supervisors will determine whether your child’s feeding needs will be best served by either a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist.  During the evaluation and throughout treatment your child’s therapist will develop and utilize a plan of care tailored specifically for your child’s and family’s needs and will work closely with your family and other specialists involved with your child’s care to help your child become a safe, efficient, and willing participant in mealtimes.  Our therapists have specialized training in several approaches to feeding, including SOS, AEIOU and SOFFI. 
 

Red Flags of Feeding Disorders in Infants and Toddlers:

  • An infant who cries or arches while eating
  • Abnormal suck-swallow-breathe pattern
  • Poor weight gain or weight loss
  • Failure to consume enough nutrients
  • Choking, gagging, vomiting or coughing during meals
  • More than once incident of nasal reflux
  • History of a traumatic choking incident
  • History of eating and breathing coordination problems
  • Difficulty with transitioning to baby food purees by 10 months of age
  • Inability to eat table foods by 12 months of age
  • Difficulty transitioning from breast/bottle to a cup by 16 months of age
  • Difficulty chewing or keeping food/liquids in mouth
  • Food refusal for certain textures or food groups.
  • Mealtimes that last longer than 30 minutes and/or are a struggle.

Red Flags of Feeding Disorders of Children Ages 2 ½ and Older

  • Refusal to eat in a variety of settings
  • Refusal to attend or anxiety around social events that involve food
  • Food range of less than 20 foods
  • Unwillingness to try new foods 
  • Poor weight gain or weight loss
  • Failure to consume enough nutrients
  • Choking, gagging, vomiting or coughing during meals
  • History of a traumatic choking incident
  • Difficulty chewing or keeping food/liquids in mouth
  • Food refusal for certain textures or food groups.
  • Mealtimes that last longer than 30 minutes and/or are a struggle.

Abilities in Action is a Provider of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Pediatric Occupational Therapy and Pediatric Speech Therapy to Infants and Children in Monmouth County, NJ and surrounding towns and via telehealth

Abilities In Action - Pediatric: Physical Therapy | Occupational Therapy | Speech Therapy Abilities In Action, LLC


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