What is Feeding Therapy?
THE EXPERIENCE OF EATING
Think back to the last time you enjoyed your favorite dessert. Imagine taking a bite of the cold vanilla ice cream with chunks of brownie. You smell the delicious chocolate. Every few bites, you get to taste the sweet berries mixed in. Crunch, crunch, crunch- the candied pecans on top are scrumptious! There is no doubt about it- enjoying a meal is a full sensory experience!
WHAT IS FEEDING THERAPY?
But for some of our clients, the sensory experience of eating can be too overwhelming and the support of a skilled feeding therapist can be warranted. What is feeding therapy? For infants and children who struggle with sucking, chewing, feeding, or swallowing, feeding therapy can be a helpful intervention to promote overall comfort, greater nutrition, and safety.
FEEDING THERAPY EVALUATION
Aren’t most children picky eaters at some point? Sure, it is common for all children to go through phases where eating a well-rounded diet can be difficult or frustrating (and messy!). But if your child is struggling to maintain a healthy weight, experiences a lot of coughing or gagging at meal times, avoids certain food textures entirely, and only eats a small number of different foods, talking to your child’s pediatrician, therapist, or case manager for a feeding therapy evaluation is a recommended next step.
WAY TO GROW THERAPISTS CAN HELP THROUGH FEEDING THERAPY
With patience and practice, the Way to Grow therapists have a proven track record for seeing positive meal time changes with their clients, such as:
Greater acceptance of new beverages and foods
Safer swallowing strategies
Improved oral coordination
Improved sensory tolerance
Increased education and confidence for parents and caregivers
...and overall less stress at meal times!
ABOUT THE THERAPY TEAM AT WAY TO GROW
Founded in 2019, Sarah Myers proudly launched Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy, Inc. to provide life-changing pediatric therapy services for children and families in Central Illinois. Sarah genuinely believes that great things come from small beginnings.
The opportunity to help children feel capable and confident in their development is what motivates the Way to Grow Pediatric Therapy team every single day. Way to Grow offers an array of services for children ages birth to 18 years old.
This company is committed to bringing together skilled pediatric therapists who share the same core values of enthusiastically helping children through the use of best research-driven practices. It is an honor to be a part of the change in helping your child become who they were meant to be!
Click to contact the Way to Grow team or view our Speech + Feeding Therapy services.
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