Pediatric Feeding Therapy
Who Provides Feeding Therapy and Why?
WHO: Trained Occupational Therapist or Speech Therapist
WHY: Feeding therapy is used to help children who have difficulties sucking, chewing, feeding, swallowing, limited diet, or behavioral issues at mealtimes.
Problem Feeding vs. Picky Eaters
Problem Feeders:
Usually less than 20 different foods
Does not go back to foods lost in food jags (breaks)
Refuses entire groups or textures
Large emotions or refusal to engage with foods presented
YUMMMM!
Common Reasons
Sensory Processing
Oral Motor Skills
Delayed Feeding Milestones
Behaviors at mealtimes
When Should You Be Concerned?
Frequent choking/gagging
Restricts range or variety of foods
Meltdowns if look/packaging of food changes
Eliminates foods once eaten and does not return to
Eats different meals than family
Amity Point Can Help!
Skills Addressed:
Self-feeding skills
Mealtime Behaviors
Reducing Texture Aversions
Improving Nutritional Intake
Chewing and Swallowing