Feeding Therapy FAQs: What Parents Want To Know About Swallowing And Feeding Therapy

 

You can find answers to common questions, such as hours, location, communication style, and insurance, on our General FAQ page.

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Please click the links below to find answers to your questions about feeding and swallowing therapy for infants and children. If you do not see your question listed here, we invite you to call our office. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

 

Here are some common questions our office is asked regarding pediatric and infant feeding therapy:

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• What conditions do you treat using feeding and swallowing therapy for children?

• Is your office an allergen-free facility?

• How do you pinpoint the cause of a child’s feeding issues, abilities, limitations, and challenges?

• What are some examples of the types of feeding therapy used at All 4 Therapy LLC?

• At what age do you start feeding therapy?  

• How do you address sensory issues in feeding therapy for children who have food aversions and texture aversions?

• Do you have a dedicated private space for feeding therapy?

• What equipment do you use for feeding therapy?

• Do you offer parents guidance to overcome feeding difficulties at home?

• How can I learn more about your therapist’s feeding therapy experience, training, and qualifications?

• Contact our office to inquire about feeding and swallowing therapy availability

 

 

 

What conditions do you treat using feeding and swallowing therapy for children?

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At All 4 Therapy, our therapists specialize in disorders or challenges that affect a child’s ability to eat, swallow, or digest food properly.

 

Here are a few of the conditions that can cause a child to have difficulty eating, swallowing, chewing, or drinking, as well as conditions that can result from eating problems.

• Conditions related to muscle weakness, coordination, or sensory processing issues

• Constipation

• Chronic diarrhea

• Chronic illness-related issues, such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, heart disease

• Eating challenges associated with neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and more.

• Failure to thrive (child not growing or gaining weight at the expected rate)

• Food refusal

• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Oral motor delays

• Overweight for age

• Picky eating

• Sensory processing disorders

• Structural abnormality challenges, such as cleft lip, cleft palate, tongue tie, laryngomalacia

• Underweight for age

 

This list of conditions is not exhaustive. If you do not see a condition of interest listed here, please call our office to speak with our therapists.  

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Is your office an allergen-free facility?

While we are cognizant of common allergens and we take every precaution to keep them out of our feeding and swallowing room, we cannot fully certify that our office is allergen-free. Many children, parents, caregivers, and adults come through our doors every day, and we do not always know what allergens they may or may not carry with them. Please call our office if you would like to speak with us about your concerns.

 

How do you pinpoint the cause of a child’s feeding issues, abilities, limitations, and challenges?

As feeding and swallowing therapists, our goal is to understand the reasons behind a child's feeding issues, abilities, limitations, and challenges. Here's how we go about pinpointing the cause:

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Case History: We gather detailed information about the child's medical background, including birth history and previous treatments.

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Clinical Observation: We closely observe the child during feeding sessions, looking for signs of discomfort and noting their movements and coordination.

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Oral-Motor Assessment: We assess the child's oral motor skills, checking their tongue, lip movements, and chewing abilities.

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Sensory Assessment: We evaluate the child's sensory responses to different food textures, temperatures, tastes, and smells.

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Swallowing Assessment: We use tests to assess the child's swallowing abilities and detect any abnormalities.

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Collaboration: We work closely with other professionals involved in the child's care to share insights and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.

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By combining these assessments, we can pinpoint the factors contributing to the child's feeding issues. This helps us create a personalized therapy plan to improve their feeding experiences.

 Call our office to schedule an evaluation, and we will work with you to determine a treatment plan. 

 

What are some examples of the types of feeding therapy at All 4 Therapy LLC?

Our feeding and swallowing therapists have formal training in PROMPT as well as SOS feeding therapy techniques. And just as importantly, we also have experience, working in hospitals and clinical settings—as well as our family’s own dining room tables.

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At our All 4 Therapy LLC, we offer a range of friendly and effective feeding therapy approaches to address your child's unique needs. Here are the different types of feeding therapy we provide:

Oral Motor Therapy: We focus on strengthening and coordinating the muscles involved in feeding and swallowing, helping your child develop the necessary skills for successful mealtimes.

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Sensory-Based Feeding Therapy: We understand that sensory difficulties can impact a child's acceptance of different food textures, tastes, and smells. Our therapy helps your child expand their food repertoire and overcome oral sensitivities.

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Behavioral Feeding Therapy: We utilize behavioral techniques to address challenging mealtime behaviors and establish positive eating habits for your child.

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Texture Aversion Therapy: If your child has aversions to specific food textures, we employ gradual exposure techniques to help them become more comfortable and accepting of a wider variety of textures.

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Swallowing Therapy: Our specialized therapy focuses on exercises and techniques to improve swallowing safety and efficiency, ensuring your child can eat and drink with confidence.

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Transition Feeding Therapy: We assist infants and toddlers in transitioning from breast/bottle feeding to solid foods, supporting the development of oral motor skills and self-feeding abilities.

Feeding Tube Weaning: If your child is transitioning from tube feeding to oral feeding, we provide support and guidance to help them build oral skills and increase their oral intake.

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Food Chaining: Using a systematic approach, we introduce new foods based on similarities to familiar ones, expanding your child's food choices and promoting a balanced diet.

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Mealtime Support and Education: We offer guidance and education to parents and caregivers, empowering you to create positive mealtime environments, establish routines, and implement strategies for successful feeding.

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Family-Based Feeding Therapy: We involve the whole family in the therapy process, recognizing the importance of familial dynamics and providing support to promote positive interactions during mealtimes.

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Feeding Skill Development: We work on specific feeding skills, such as chewing, biting, drinking from a cup, and utensil use, to enhance your child's independence and functional feeding abilities.

Medically Complex Feeding Therapy: For children with complex medical conditions or developmental disabilities, we tailor our therapy to their unique needs, considering their medical challenges and providing specialized support.

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At what age do you start feeding therapy?  

Our therapists are trained to help with feeding and swallowing from birth, with NICU experience for preemies (premature births) and other birth-related challenges/disorders.

 

How do you address sensory issues in feeding therapy for children who have food aversions and texture aversions?

Our experienced feeding therapists have a strong track record in addressing sensory issues, food aversion, and texture aversion. We understand the importance of creating a nurturing environment to help children overcome these challenges.

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Our therapists assess sensory processing and develop personalized strategies to gradually introduce new foods and textures, desensitize sensitivities, and expand the child's food repertoire. We work closely with families, employing positive reinforcement and individualized approaches to address food aversion. We utilize techniques such as food play and gradual exposure to overcome texture aversion. Our goal is to create positive and successful feeding experiences, fostering healthy eating habits and overall well-being.

 

Do you have a dedicated private space for feeding therapy?

Our office features a dedicated and private feeding space designed specifically for feeding and swallowing therapy, providing a cozy and comfortable environment for kids. We understand the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere that helps children feel at ease during their therapy sessions. Our allergen-free space ensures a safe environment for those with specific dietary restrictions or allergies. We prioritize the comfort and well-being of children during their feeding therapy, ensuring a warm and inviting space that promotes a positive experience.

 

What equipment do you use for feeding therapy?

Here are some of the specialized tools we may use during a feeding and swallowing therapy session.

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Adaptive Spoons and Utensils: We have a range of specially designed spoons and utensils that make feeding easier and more enjoyable for children, promoting independence and coordination.

 

Oral Motor Tools: Our collection of engaging oral motor tools, such as chewy tubes and vibrating tools, helps strengthen oral muscles, improve tongue movement, and enhance overall oral motor skills.

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Feeding Cups: We offer a selection of cups with different features, like easy-to-grip handles and spill-resistant designs, to facilitate drinking skills and encourage self-feeding.

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Sippy Cups and Straws: Transitioning from bottle feeding to cup drinking is made simpler with our carefully chosen sippy cups and straws that promote the development of sucking and straw use skills.

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Texture Modification Tools: We have tools to modify food textures, ensuring that every child's unique feeding needs are met. These tools assist with thickening agents and food molds for enjoyable and safe meal experiences.

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Feeding Seats and Positioning Aids: We provide comfortable and supportive seating options and positioning aids to ensure that your child maintains proper posture during mealtimes, optimizing swallowing and digestion.

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Oral Sensory Tools: Our selection of engaging oral sensory tools, like textured teethers and oral massagers, helps address sensory sensitivities, reduce aversions, and encourage exploration and tolerance of new textures.

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Communication and Visual Supports: We utilize visual aids, communication boards, and picture schedules to enhance communication and understanding during mealtimes, making the experience more structured and enjoyable.

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Environmental Adaptations: We make use of adaptive high chairs, non-slip mats, and specialized tableware to create a safe and comfortable environment that fosters positive and successful feeding experiences.

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Do you offer parents guidance to overcome feeding difficulties at home?

Absolutely. Parents and caregivers are an essential part of a child’s progress. A feeding therapy session doesn’t end when a parent and child leave our office. Parents always go home with key strategies and tool recommendations to help children thrive.

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How can I learn more about your therapist’s feeding therapy experience, training, and qualifications?

Currently, our primary feeding specialist is Elif Hajaluga, although our office is expanding and we may bring new feeding therapists “to the table” as we grow.

 

Click here to read in-depth about Elif Hajaluga, MS, CCC-SLP.

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“As a mom and a trained feeding/swallowing therapist, I deeply empathize with how worrying and stressful it can be when a child is not able to eat a healthy diet at any age. That’s why I don’t just help children; I help parents too. I want my clients to feel empowered and confident when they are tackling difficult feeding situations. Positivity makes a difference.”

Elif Hajaluga, MS, CCC-SLP

 

Contact Our Office To Inquire About Feeding and Swallowing Therapy Availability