Occupational Therapy - OT Park

Category: Occupational Therapy

Feeding Therapy at OT Park: How We Can Help

Is your child an extremely picky eater? Do they gag, tantrum, or refuse to eat during meals? Do they have trouble swallowing, choke while eating, or frequently get sick with pneumonia? Has mealtime become a stressful event in your home?

If any of these sound familiar, your child may benefit from feeding therapy at OT Park with a trained occupational or speech therapist. Feeding difficulties can stem from various causes, including sensory processing challenges, such as those associated with sensory processing disorder or autism spectrum disorder, as well as motor difficulties often seen in conditions like cerebral palsy or neurological impairments. A feeding therapist can help make mealtimes less stressful and more enjoyable.

What Is Feeding Therapy?

Feeding therapy involves a trained occupational or speech therapist working with your child to help them learn to eat or eat more effectively. Sessions are typically held once or twice a week for one hour. At OT Park, we create an individualized approach that addresses the specific sensory and motor challenges your child faces in eating an age-appropriate meal.

How to Get Started

If you’re struggling with mealtimes and believe your child may need feeding therapy, the first step is to consult your pediatrician. They may refer you to a feeding therapist for a comprehensive evaluation.

The Feeding Therapy Evaluation

A feeding evaluation at OT Park includes a detailed review of your child’s feeding history, an observation of them eating a typical meal, and, in some cases, a meal journal that records what your child has eaten over the past three days. If your child has a history of swallowing difficulties, we may request a recent swallow study. Based on these evaluations, we’ll determine whether sensory, motor, or combined issues are contributing to their feeding challenges, such as hypersensitivity to textures or difficulties with chewing and swallowing.

Feeding Therapy Techniques at OT Park

Feeding therapy can be provided at various settings, including therapy centers, hospitals, or in private practices. At OT Park, we offer specialized pediatric feeding therapy using a range of approaches to suit your child’s unique needs. Our therapists are experienced in sensory, motor, and behavioral techniques to help your child develop better eating habits.

Popular Feeding Therapy Approaches

“Get Permission” Approach
This method focuses on building a trusting and positive relationship with food. Your child will gradually progress through steps such as looking at, smelling, touching, and eventually tasting food. The pace is set by your child, ensuring they are comfortable throughout the process.
Beckman Oral Motor Approach
This approach targets children with oral motor barriers to eating. It helps improve functional movements, strength, and control in the lips, cheeks, jaw, and tongue to enhance eating skills.
Behavioral Approach
In this approach, a reward system may be used to encourage your child to try new foods. For example, when they take a bite of a new food, they may earn a sticker or a small toy. Over time, this positive reinforcement helps reduce resistance to new foods.

How OT Park Can Support Your Child

At OT Park, we take a personalized and holistic approach to feeding therapy. Our occupational therapists work closely with your child to address both the physical coordination and sensory processing aspects of feeding. Whether your child has difficulties due to sensory sensitivities or motor control, our therapists design a program tailored to their unique needs.

Our goal is to make mealtimes safer, more enjoyable, and less stressful for your child and family. If you’re interested in learning more about our feeding therapy services, we invite you to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled therapists.

If you think feeding therapy could benefit your child, we welcome you to schedule a 30-minute screening at OT Park. During the screening, you can discuss your concerns with one of our therapists and take a tour of our facility.

We are here to support your child’s journey to better feeding and happier mealtimes.

What are Child’s Occupations? & How OT Park Nurtures Growth Through Play and Therapy

When we think about the term “occupation,” we often associate it with jobs or careers. However, for children, their occupations revolve around activities that contribute to their growth, development, and independence. At OT Park, we understand that a child’s daily tasks—such as playing, learning, socializing, and self-care—are their primary occupations, and we use occupational therapy to help them thrive in these essential areas.

Understanding a Child’s Occupations

A child’s occupations include a variety of tasks that help them explore the world, gain new skills, and develop their independence. Some of the key occupations for children are:

Play – Play is a child’s most important occupation. It fosters creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. Whether engaging in sensory play, pretend play, or physical activities, children develop cognitive, motor, and emotional skills through play.
Learning – Whether at school or home, children spend a significant amount of time learning. This includes handwriting, attention, following instructions, and problem-solving.
Social Participation – Engaging with peers, family, and caregivers is crucial for developing communication, cooperation, and emotional regulation.
Self-Care (Activities of Daily Living – ADLs) – Dressing, eating, brushing teeth, and toileting are essential daily tasks that contribute to independence.
Sensory Processing – Children interact with their environment using their senses. Some children may struggle with sensory sensitivities, affecting their ability to engage in everyday activities comfortably.
Emotional Regulation – Understanding and managing emotions are critical skills for a child’s success in social and academic settings.

How OT Park Supports Children’s Occupations

At OT Park, our pediatric occupational therapy services are designed to support children in all their occupations, helping them achieve their fullest potential. Here’s how we do it:

Play-Based Therapy

We incorporate play into therapy sessions to make learning fun and engaging. Whether it’s climbing, jumping, or playing with sensory bins, we use play to enhance motor skills, coordination, and social interactions.

Fine Motor & Handwriting Development

For children struggling with handwriting, grasping small objects, or using utensils, we offer activities that strengthen their fine motor skills. Using tools like adapted pencils, textured writing surfaces, and fun hand-strengthening exercises, we help children improve their control and precision.

Sensory Integration Therapy

Children who are over- or under-responsive to sensory input benefit from our sensory-based interventions. We use swings, weighted blankets, textured materials, and deep pressure activities to help children regulate their sensory systems and feel more comfortable in their environment.

Self-Care & Independence Training

Our therapists work on practical self-care skills like dressing, grooming, and feeding. By breaking down tasks into manageable steps and using adaptive techniques, we help children gain confidence and independence in their daily routines.

Social & Emotional Development

We facilitate group activities and social play to improve peer interactions. Children learn turn-taking, sharing, and effective communication skills, which are essential for forming positive relationships.

Empowering Children Through Occupational Therapy

At OT Park, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in their daily occupations. Through our individualized, child-led, and play-based approach, we support children in overcoming challenges, building confidence, and developing essential life skills.

Tweet

If you’re interested in learning more about how occupational therapy can support your child’s development, contact OT Park today! Let’s help your child grow, play, and thrive together.