We offer treatment for feeding difficulties and disorders, which may include a child who has a very restricted diet, extremely picky eaters, difficulty chewing, or difficulty accepting foods with a variety of textures, temperatures, and/or colors. Feeding problems may lead to poor weight gain and strained social interaction with family and peers around mealtimes.

• Picky Eating

This term describes a high level of selectivity in food choices among children, where they may avoid entire food groups or specific textures, leading to a diet that typically includes fewer than 20 different foods.

• Oral Motor Issues

This refers to difficulties related to chewing, biting, or managing food in the mouth, which may result in occurrences of gagging, choking, or food retention.

• Sensory Sensitivities

Many children may have strong aversions to certain food textures, odors, or flavors, which can hinder their willingness to try new foods or consume a varied diet.

• Delayed Feeding Milestones

Some children may face challenges in progressing to different food textures, such as transitioning from purees to solids, or may show resistance to moving beyond bottle-feeding or breastfeeding.

• Behavioral Challenges

At mealtime Children may frequently exhibit distress during mealtimes, demonstrated through tantrums, refusal to eat, or avoidance of food, creating a challenging eating atmosphere.

• Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)

Signs of aspiration, such as coughing or choking while swallowing, raise concerns regarding a child’s ability to safely consume food or liquids.

• Gastrointestinal or Medical Issues

Conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux, food allergies, or other medical concerns can contribute to discomfort or pain during eating, impacting a child’s nutritional intake.

• Limited Growth or Weight Gain

In certain instances, children may experience failure to thrive, characterized by inadequate weight gain or growth due to insufficient nutritional intake.

• Feeding Aversion (the inability or refusal to eat certain foods)

Individuals may exhibit strong negative reactions to specific foods or meal experiences. These responses can arise from sensory sensitivities, unfavorable past encounters, or behavioral challenges. Feeding aversions can greatly influence a child’s dietary habits, nutritional intake, and overall well-being. Effectively addressing these aversions typically necessitates a comprehensive strategy that includes therapeutic interventions, behavioral techniques, and supportive mealtime practices.

We provide feeding therapy for children 18 months and up. Areas of feeding therapy that we cover include, but not limited to:

• Children transitioning to solid foods, such as a child who eats purees but won’t eat foods with texture.
• Children with sensory issues with food, such as not liking certain textures/colors/temperatures.
• Children who have difficulty chewing.
• Children who are picky eaters and have very limited food choices.