When a child struggles at mealtimes, the whole family feels it. Feeding therapy goes far deeper than simply teaching a child to eat. Our OT team works closely with children and their families to understand the root of those difficulties and develop a personalized plan to make eating easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
We take a gradual, play-based approach that meets your child where they are, building tolerance and expanding food variety at a pace that feels manageable for your child and your family. Our OT team includes therapists trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding, a research-based, play-based framework developed by Dr. Kay Toomey.
You know your child best, and you know when something at the table feels harder than it should be. The signs below go beyond typical picky eating and may point to a need for feeding therapy. You can also review additional resources from the SOS Approach to Feeding. If any of these signs sound familiar, reach out to us to see whether a feeding evaluation makes sense for your child.
Many children go through phases of being selective about food, and that is completely normal. Feeding therapy is typically recommended when a child’s eating habits are significantly limiting their nutrition, causing distress at mealtimes, or affecting their growth and development. If mealtimes feel like a battle most days, it is worth having a conversation with a feeding therapist to get a clearer picture.
If your child chokes or gags frequently during meals, please talk with your pediatrician right away. These symptoms can sometimes point to a medical swallowing disorder called dysphagia. Treating dysphagia requires a feeding therapist with specialized swallowing certification, and while feeding therapy can address dysphagia in the right hands, our team does not currently hold that certification. We refer those families out so they can get the right level of care.
Choking and gagging can also be related to sensory sensitivities, food aversions, or difficulty with certain textures, and those are areas our feeding therapy team is well equipped to support. Your pediatrician can help determine whether a swallowing study or referral to a dysphagia specialist is needed first. If feeding therapy at our clinic is the right fit for your child, we are happy to help.
Sessions are play-based and low-pressure. We never force a child to eat. Instead, we use a gradual approach to help children become comfortable around new foods, starting with simply being near a food and working toward tasting it over time. Parents are an important part of the process, and our therapists will coach you on how to support progress at home.
Bringing food from home is an important part of how feeding therapy works. Your child is most familiar with the foods they see and eat at home, which makes them a natural starting point for building comfort and expanding tolerance. It also means that the progress your child makes in therapy directly carries over to your kitchen table, where it matters most.
Progress depends on each child’s needs and starting point. Some children make significant gains in a few months; others benefit from longer-term support. Your therapist will track progress with you and adjust the plan as your child grows.
A referral is not required to contact us or schedule an evaluation. Some insurance plans do require a physician referral for coverage, so we recommend checking with your insurance provider. We are happy to help you navigate that process.
Feeding therapy is provided by our OT team and may be covered by your insurance plan. Coverage varies depending on your plan and your child’s diagnosis. Visit our Insurance page for more information, or contact us and we will help you figure out your options.
Learn what to expect when you start services at Whole Child Therapy, from your first call to your child’s first session.
