PEDIATRIC FEEDING THERAPY

Some children have weak jaw, tongue, or lip muscles, making it hard to chew, move food around their mouth, or swallow safely. This can result in food refusal, slow eating, or difficulty transitioning to solid foods. Feeding therapy helps strengthen these muscles and improve coordination for safer, more effective eating.

Children with sensory sensitivities may be highly sensitive to textures, tastes, temperatures, or smells, making certain foods feel overwhelming or unpleasant. Some may strongly prefer crunchy or soft foods, while others gag at unfamiliar textures. Feeding therapy uses gradual exposure and sensory-based techniques to help kids feel more comfortable with a variety of foods.

Some children develop strong food preferences and may refuse entire food groups, limiting their nutritional intake. This can stem from past negative experiences with food (such as choking or reflux), difficulty with textures, or underlying sensory issues. Therapy helps make food exploration positive and stress-free, encouraging kids to try new foods at their own pace.

Some children have an aversion to things touching their mouths, including utensils, certain food textures, or even brushing their teeth. This can make mealtimes challenging and limit the variety of foods they accept. Feeding therapy helps desensitize oral sensitivities through gentle, structured exposure to new sensations.

ome children struggle with transitioning to solid foods due to a lack of early exposure or challenges with oral-motor skills. They may have difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving beyond purees. Feeding therapy provides guidance on introducing textures gradually and improving chewing and swallowing coordination.

Some children have difficulty swallowing safely, which can lead to coughing, choking, or avoiding certain foods. Swallowing disorders can be related to neurological conditions, muscle weakness, or structural differences. Speech therapists trained in feeding therapy help children learn safe swallowing techniques and modify foods or liquids to reduce risks.

Stressful mealtime experiences, power struggles over food, or past negative associations with eating can lead to food refusal. Some children may feel overwhelmed by expectations or anxious about trying new foods. Feeding therapy focuses on creating a positive, pressure-free environment to help children build confidence and develop healthy eating habits.

Children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or prematurity may have a combination of motor, sensory, or behavioral challenges that impact feeding. Therapy provides tailored strategies to support safe and effective eating based on each child’s unique needs.