Feeding & Swallowing Therapy

Members of our team at Summit Pediatric Therapy are trained to treat infants, toddlers, and adolescents with a variety of feeding difficulties. Problems with feeding and swallowing may occur due to a variety of medical or physical conditions including dysphagia, feeding-tube dependency, oral-motor chewing difficulty, “picky” eating habits, and food/oral aversions.

In general, feeding difficulties are relatively common during childhood. Some children, especially toddlers, may be picky eaters and consume a limited number of foods, but the foods eaten typically span all the food groups and provide a balanced diet.

On the other hand, an infant or child with a feeding disorder may present with the following difficulties during and/or right after feedings:

• Coughing, choking, and/or gagging
• Apnea/breath-holding spells
• Wet, “gurgly” breath sounds
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Noisy, messy feedings
• Excessive gassiness
• Oral hypersensitivity/gag easily
• An extremely limited diet
• Difficulty eating an age-appropriate diet
• Difficulty chewing or biting foods
• Difficulty drinking from a cup
• Difficulty eating enough food
• Limited self-feeding skills
• A history of non-oral (ex. g-tube) feedings
• Behavior difficulties that have a significant impact on mealtimes

Often, infants and children with a feeding disorder will have difficulty gaining weight and meeting their nutritional needs without the use of dietary supplements and/or special formulas.

To ensure the most accurate and complete evaluation, it is recommended that parents/caregivers bring the following items to the evaluation:

• A hungry child: It is very important that your child is hungry during the evaluation. Children who are hungry tend to be more willing to eat in a new environment and try new foods.
• Special foods, formula, and/or breast milk: We have a wide variety of foods and liquids to offer your child, however if your child has food allergies or is taking formula or breast milk, we request that you bring these items from home.
• Bottles: If your child is bottle fed, please bring the bottle and nipple used for most feedings.

Based on the results of your child’s evaluation, feeding therapy may be recommended. During treatment the therapist may work on:

• Oral motor skills (ex. chewing, biting, tongue movement)
• Breast and/or bottle-feeding skills
  • Improving latch for breast and bottle feedings
  • Changing the nipple used for bottle feedings
  • Helping your child coordinate the suck-swallow-breath pattern better
• Cup drinking
• Eating foods with more/mixed texture (ex. mac-n-cheese, yogurt with pieces of fruit) or less texture (ex. smooth yogurt, pudding)
• Adding new foods to your child’s diet
• Increasing strength/endurance for feeding
• Increasing oral intake
• Increasing tolerance of messy play
• Self-feeding skills and using appropriate utensils
• Using optimal positions/seating during meals

Depending on your child’s age and abilities, activities will most likely be completed in a meal-like setting (ex. highchair, seated at the table). However, the therapist may also incorporate play activities. The goal is to make feeding therapy as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for your child.

At Summit Pediatric Therapy, we believe that it is very important for families to be involved in all aspects of their child’s care. Depending on the child’s needs, parents are encouraged to view the sessions via monitors, observation mirrors, or in the therapy room. In addition, your child’s therapist will discuss progress, provide activities for home practice, and demonstrate beneficial therapy techniques to ensure maximum benefit is received from therapy. The therapist will also work closely with your child’s medical providers such as the pediatrician, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist (breathing specialist), psychologist, and otolaryngologist (ENT/ear, nose, and throat).