What is Feeding Therapy:
Feeding therapy is an intervention where a therapist with training in the area of feeding and swallowing works with a client to support their ability to eat or learn about eating new or challenging foods. Feeding therapy is typically carried out by a speech-language pathologist or an occupational therapist who specializes in the area of feeding.
What Feeding Assessment May Look Like:
When looking at feeding with your child, we will start with a detailed case history to learn more about feeding from time of birth to current skills. Assessment will also include observations of your child eating or drinking and current skills and abilities. We will work with you to determine what foods may be best for assessment of eating skills. Assessment sessions can be booked in clinic or can be virtual as requested. We often suggest 45-minute for the initial feeding consultation.
What Feeding Therapy May Look Like:
Based on assessment and observations a therapy plan will be reviewed with you, which may include therapy for supporting oral motor skills and oral sensory skills to expand success with eating challenging foods and learn about new food textures and experiences. We also work with you, your child and community partners to further explore other factors that may be impacting feeding skills (e.g., sensory processing skills, behaviours, medical, nutrition). Therapy sessions are often 30 minutes.