Feeding therapy is when kids with trouble eating or drinking get special help. Sometimes they need help because they have a medical condition or their body is developing slower than usual. Feeding therapy aims to teach kids how to eat safely and try new foods. They might play games or use special tools to make eating easier. It can take a while to see progress, but with lots of support and practice, kids can get better at eating and drinking.
How long does feeding therapy take to show progress?
Feeding therapy can be a long and challenging process, and progress can vary depending on the child’s individual needs and abilities. It may take several months or even years to see significant progress.
What types of professionals are involved in feeding therapy?
Feeding therapy typically involves a team approach, including a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and sometimes a dietitian or physician.
What can I do to support my child's progress in feeding therapy?
Parents and caregivers play a critical role in feeding therapy, and can support their child’s progress by following the therapist’s recommendations, creating a positive mealtime environment, and providing lots of encouragement and support.
Feeding therapy helps children with eating, drinking, or swallowing difficulties caused by factors like developmental delays, medical conditions, or sensory issues. The goal is to improve their ability to eat and expand their food tolerance. It involves a team approach with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and physicians. Therapy may include exercises to improve oral motor skills, sensory stimulation to desensitize to textures and tastes, and behavioral strategies for accepting new foods. Specialized equipment like feeding tubes or bottles may be used. Feeding therapy can be challenging, but with support, children can make progress. Parents receive guidance and education to support their child’s progress.
Feeding therapy employs various techniques to assist children with eating difficulties. Let’s explore how it works and some examples of its implementation:
By customizing interventions based on each child’s needs and involving parents, it aims to improve their eating skills and promote a positive relationship with food. Goally, our tablet, assists children in feeding therapy by offering apps for life and language skills, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social skills training videos. It enhances progress and overall development.
This post was originally published on April 10, 2023. It was updated on July 10, 2023.
