Feeding Therapy

Feeding therapy focuses on improving a child’s ability to successfully and safely eat a variety of different foods.  Feeding therapy may work on self-feeding skills, sensory processing, oral motor skills, and/or acceptance of new or less-preferred food items to expand a child’s food repertoire and diet. Services are most commonly provided by either an Occupational Therapist or Speech Therapist, who utilize evidence-based strategies to evaluate and treat feeding needs. Additionally, ABA can play a crucial role in improving feeding-related behaviors such as, reinforcing positive eating behaviors, reducing problematic behaviors associated with eating, and promote greater acceptance of a variety of foods. 

 

Intensity for Feeding Therapy varies depending on the evaluation recommendations, insurance coverage, and availability across therapists. Our Multidisciplinary team works together to identify socially significant behaviors to target and develop a comprehensive treatment package to help your child reach their full potential. ​

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Your child may be appropriate for feeding therapy if they have a limited diet, avoid or refuse certain tastes, textures, or temperatures, and/or exhibit gagging/choking while eating.  A child may also be appropriate for services if they are having difficulty feeding themselves safely and independently.

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Areas Feeding Therapy Addresses:

• Ability to eat safely, including appropriate pacing and chewing

• Interacting with and eating foods of various forms

• Oral Motor Skills 

• Self-feeding skills

• Sensory Processing

• Utensil use

 

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