Feeding & Swallowing Therapy

Targets the act of eating, which includes choosing to eat, what we choose to eat, and what we can actually eat. Targets the act of swallowing which is a complex human function that begins at the lips and ends when the swallow has been triggered. Swallowing disorders may involve physical issues to include decreased strength or coordination, sensory issues including aversions to certain foods or textures, and psychological components due to past issues with feeding which may impact a child’s willingness to eat and/or explore new foods or textures. Speech pathologists play a pivotal role in feeding and swallowing from birth throughout the lifespan through parent education and therapy to improve sucking/suctioning when bottle feeding to support nutrition. Swallowing problems may occur as early as birth and may impact a child’s ability to thrive. A speech pathologist will focus on goals to support growth and development, nutrition, respiratory/pulmonary health, etc. Desirable goals and outcomes of feeding therapy include efficient oral feeding, improved oral function and sensorimotor function, adequate weight gain and growth, no aspiration episodes, and reduced defensiveness, sensitivity, and aversion.