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.