Feeding Therapy
The Goals
- Build healthy food habits
- Increase diet variety
- Ensure safe eating
- Meet nutritional needs
- Support growth & development
What is Pediatric Feeding Therapy?
Pediatric feeding therapy is a specialized form of therapy designed to address feeding difficulties in infants, children, and adolescents. At Foundations Therapy, feeding therapy is provided by trained speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists.
Pediatric feeding therapy aims to assess and treat a range of feeding and swallowing issues, including difficulties related to oral motor skills, sensory aversions or sensitivities, behavioral challenges, and medical conditions that affect feeding.
Our Advanced Therapy Team
Our team of advanced, feeding certified Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists are dedicated to providing the highest quality care. We understand how oral-motor and swallowing deficits can affect a child’s ability to safely consume an appropriate diet and lead to serious issues, such as aspiration, pneumonia, and future poor eating habits/behaviors.
Who May Benefit from Feeding Therapy?
Some common conditions that may benefit from feeding therapy include:
- 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 Tool Details
Beckman Oral Motor Protocol
This method uses assisted movement and stretch reflexes to measure response to pressure, movement, strength, and control for the lips, cheeks, jaw, tongue, and soft palate.
Jaw Strengthening & Stability Program
This program is designed to enhance jaw stability and strength, crucial elements for safe and efficient eating.
Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS)
The SOS approach to feeding is a comprehensive program for assessing and treating children with feeding difficulties and weight/growth problems across all ages.
TalkTools® Programs
Our therapists use TalkTools® due to its industry-leading products. These tools are proven effective in helping children learn the correct feelings associated with eating and forming words properly.
Horns Program
The Horns Program is designed to normalize oral musculature, correct articulation errors, improve abdominal grading and speech clarity.
Straw Program
Used in conjunction with therapy, this program promotes tongue retraction and controlled tongue movements through twelve stages of development.
Horns Program
The Horns Program is designed to normalize oral musculature, correct articulation errors, improve abdominal grading and speech clarity.
Straw Program
Used in conjunction with therapy, this program promotes tongue retraction and controlled tongue movements through twelve stages of development.
