Have you heard of Feeding Therapy? If you haven't this blog post will give you a taste of what it entails.
Feeding Therapy is a specialized form of therapy aimed at addressing difficulties related to eating, drinking, or swallowing. It's designed to help individuals, particularly children, overcome challenges such as picky eating, food aversions, oral motor delays, or difficulty transitioning to different textures.🥓🥦🥕🥫
What are the signs someone may need Feeding Therapy?
Signs can vary depending on age, developmental stage, and individual circumstances. Here are some common indicators to look out for:
Difficulty with Food Texture:Â Persistent gagging, choking, or refusal to eat certain textures of food (e.g., solids, purees).
Limited Food Variety:Â Extreme pickiness or limited diet, with refusal to try new foods or food groups.
Oral Motor Challenges:Â Difficulty with sucking, chewing, or swallowing, which may manifest as messy eating, excessive drooling, or food pocketing.
Sensory Sensitivities:Â Overreacting or underreacting to certain sensory aspects of food, such as taste, smell, texture, or temperature.
Mealtime Struggles:Â Tantrums, anxiety, or avoidance behaviors during mealtime, leading to possible disruptions in family routines.
Weight or Growth Concerns:Â Poor weight gain, nutritional deficiencies, or failure to thrive despite adequate caloric intake.
Medical Conditions:Â Diagnosis of conditions like reflux, food allergies, oral-motor disorders, or developmental delays that impact feeding and swallowing abilities.
Feeding Tube Dependency:Â Difficulty transitioning from tube feeding to oral feeding, or ongoing reliance on tube feeding despite medical clearance for oral intake.
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone you care for, consulting with a healthcare professional, such as a speech-language pathologist, or occupational therapist specializing in feeding therapy, can provide guidance on whether feeding therapy may be beneficial. Early intervention can make a significant difference in improving feeding skills and promoting healthy eating habits.
If you have questions of whether or not your circumstances qualify for Feeding Therapy services, reach
out to us through or website or give us a call at (235-237-3405)!
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