At Kids at Play Therapy, our experienced and compassionate feeding therapists provide individualized, play-based, and family-centered support to help children gain independence and build positive interactions at mealtimes. Whether your child is a picky eater, has a medical condition affecting feeding, struggles with certain textures or food groups, or presents with restrictive avoidance we are here to help build a positive relationship with food.
What Is Feeding Therapy?
Feeding therapy addresses challenges related to eating, drinking, and swallowing that may stem from oral motor delays, swallowing difficulties, or sensory processing issues. These difficulties can affect children of all ages—from infants struggling with bottle or breastfeeding to older children who are highly selective eaters restricting food intake or have difficulty chewing and swallowing.
Our therapists work to develop the skills needed for eating while also addressing behavioral and sensory responses that may interfere with feeding.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Feeding Therapy
- Difficulty transitioning from breast/bottle to solids
- Gagging, coughing, or vomiting during meals
- Picky eating with a limited number of accepted foods
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Avoiding specific textures or temperatures
- Taking a very long time to eat or not finishing meals
- Mealtime meltdowns or extreme food refusal
- Poor weight gain or nutritional concerns
- History of medical conditions impacting feeding (e.g., reflux, prematurity, tongue tie)
How We Help
Our team works closely with families to create personalized treatment plans based on your child’s unique needs and feeding history. We collaborate with pediatricians, dietitians, and other professionals as needed to ensure comprehensive care.
Our therapists work with families to address feeding challenges typically seen with the following diagnoses:
- Aspiration
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cleft Lip/Palate
- Dysphagia
- Failure to Thrive
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Drug Exposure in-utero
- Food Allergies
- GERD (Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease)
- Genetic Syndromes
- Laryngomalacia
- Prematurity and Low Birth Weight
- Tethered Oral Tissues (lip tie, tongue tie, buccal tie)
- Tracheomalacia
WE SPECIALIZE IN:
