Feeding Therapy
Pediatric Feeding Therapy in Clearwater, FL
Feeding Therapy is provided in our Clearwater, FL clinic by our advanced, feeding certified Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists. Feeding therapy addresses feeding problems in order to prevent, or eliminate, concerns with nutrition and growth/weight gain, such as failure to thrive and unsafe swallowing. This may lead to aspiration, pneumonia, and future poor eating habits/behaviors. Oral-motor and swallowing deficits can interfere with the child’s ability to safely eat an appropriate diet.
We Provide Feeding Therapy for Children With:
- Feeding/Swallowing Difficulties
- Failure to Thrive
- Weight/Growth Problems
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Congenital Disorders
- Chronic Hoarseness
- Excessive Drooling
- GERD
- Oral-Motor Skills
- Respiratory Issues
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Weak Oral Muscles
Therapy Tools We Use:
- Beckman Oral Motor Protocol
- Jaw Strengthening and Stability Program
- Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding
- Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding
- TalkTools®: Horns Program
- TalkTools®: Straws Program
Therapy Tool Details
Beckman Oral Motor Protocol
This protocol uses assisted movement and stretch reflexes to quantify response to pressure and movement, range, strength, variety and control of movement for the lips, cheeks, jaw, tongue and soft palate.
Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding
Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding focuses on promoting acceptance of touch for therapeutic feeding and oral stimulation and movement. These techniques incorporate a variety of temperatures, textures and tastes. Also, spoon feeding, straw drinking and chewing solid foods are addressed using therapeutic feeding.
Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding
This is a trans-disciplinary program for assessing and treating children with feeding difficulties and weight/growth problems of all ages. It integrates posture, sensory, motor, behavioral/learning, medical and nutritional factors to comprehensively evaluate and manage children with feeding/growth problems.
TalkTools®
TalkTools® is used by our therapists because of its industry-leading products. Our Speech-Language Pathologist will help your child learn how it SHOULD feel to eat and form words properly. These tools are proven effective, and our therapists are highly trained and specialized to effectively use these programs.
TalkTools® – Horns Program
Horns Program is designed to normalize oral musculature, correct articulation errors, improve abdominal grading and speech clarity, and also serves as a prerequisite for working on oral-nasal contrasts.
TalkTools® – Straw Program
This is used in conjunction with therapy to promote tongue retraction and controlled tongue movements. The hierarchy promotes jaw-lip-tongue dissociation through twelve stages of development.
Contact Us
727-724-KIDS (5437)
2753 State Road 580, Suite 111 | Clearwater, FL 33761
