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What is Feeding Therapy?
Feeding Therapy is an effective form of service provided to enhance the feeding experience of families and children. At Developing Hands, we understand the importance of a well balanced and nutritious diet for a child but also the importance of family meals and gatherings and the impact these have on family dynamics and the sense of togetherness.
Our Feeding Therapy services are conducted by either a Speech Therapist or Occupational Therapists. Both Speech Therapists and Occupational Therapists have training in the field of feeding concerns, causes and strategies to enhance the skill and experience of feeding. The appropriate Therapist is connected with the family based on the family’s needs and goals for the child. There could be a variety of goals set by the family with their therapist which could include starting to eat, feeding independently, trying new foods and textures, addressing picky eating, difficulty with chewing etc.
Feeding effectively requires a number of skills sets that the Therapist can work on enhancing with the child through various activities. These can include pincer grasp, eye hand coordination, motor coordination, bilateral coordination etc. Besides the motor components involved in feeding, there are sensory components that are involved which the Therapist works on with the child to improve their ability to tolerate a variety of foods and textures.
Additional elements that affect the feeding experience includes the environment of the child. Ensuring proper seating is important to enhance body stability and control when feeding. The presence of distractions when eating is another element closely assessed and strategies are provided around this to ensure the most conducive environment for an enjoyable feeding experience.
Our Speech Therapists and Occupational Therapists use creative techniques and strategies that are enjoyable and appealing to encourage the child to enhance their skills while enjoying their therapeutic experience.
Availability:
- In Clinic
- In Home
- Remote/Virtual
How can Feeding Therapy Help my Child?
Helping Children EAT
Our Feeding Therapists assess and address various feeding concerns listed below to determine root causes of concerns and to enhance the feeding experience of a child and family. Our therapists aim at making the feeding experience a safe and positive one by modifying the feeding activity, accommodating the environment or enhancing the skills of the child.
- Starting to feed
- Transitioning to purees
- Transitioning to solids
- Picky eater
- Refusing to eat
- Difficulty chewing
- Fear of eating
- Gagging while eating
- Sensitivity to food textures
- Behavioural concerns
Why Choose Developing Hands
Pediatric FeedingTherapy?
At Developing Hands, we are truly passionate about what we do and the services we offer. We strive to provide legendary service with every point of contact for the family. We have proudly served our community for over 12 years as leaders in Pediatric Therapy and Family Services and continue to work diligently to provide the highest standard of excellent care.
Developing Hands empowers children and gives hope to parents by providing client-centered, family-focused, evidence-based and multidisciplinary pediatric therapy to assist children reach their optimal potential today, and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Our Feeding Therapists are fully licenced and regulated Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists and have a range of years of experience working with toddlers, pre-schoolers and school aged children. Our Feeding Therapists work collaboratively with our multidisciplinary team, as needed, to provide a holistic treatment plan for your child.
Please Contact Us if you would like more information about our pediatric Feeding Therapy services.
Locations We Serve
Please select the Mode of Therapy
NOTE: Clinic visits are by appointment only
