Feeding and Swallowing Therapy
Synopsis of Feeding and Swallowing
When there is an issue in this area, the child may have problems accepting or tolerating food, gathering food, manipulating food, and swallowing food. Eating and drinking involve more than just the ability to swallow food.
Areas Addressed in Feeding and Swallowing Therapy
Oral-Motor Dysfunction:
Oral-Motor Dysfunction involves the weakness of oral and facial muscle groups that result in difficulties with various actions involving our mouth and face: sucking, speaking, chewing, swallowing, etc.
Feeding Aversion:
There is a difference between a "picky eater" and someone with a "feeding aversion." This difference involves the desire to try new foods vs. the physical and mental response involved in accepting new foods. Our goal as a Speech Pathologist is to encourage the acceptance of new foods by building the child’s repertoire of established foods they will accept without difficulty.
Sensory Motor Feeding Disorder:
Sensory Motor Feeding issues involve both the sensory input given by food and the motor movements involved with eating those foods.
Swallowing Disorder:
This is the ability to manipulate and move food down into the stomach safely and effectively. There are three phases that could be involved singularly or all together. There are many outward signs or symptoms involved with swallowing disorders. If you are concerned that your child may have an issue, please contact your child’s Speech-Language Pathologist or their Pediatrician.
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