How Feeding Therapy Will Help Your Child Thrive
We’ll ensure your child gets the nutrients they need to grow healthy!
Does your child regularly refuse to eat? Do they frequently gag on their food or throw tantrums at dinner time? If so, they may benefit from feeding therapy, a specialized form of pediatric therapy focused on helping children eat better. Skills on the Hill in Washington, DC and Arlington, VA offers feeding therapy to help your child develop the eating skills they need to thrive!
While many children are picky eaters, some display severely limited food palates, refusing to eat anything beyond one or two items or only eating foods prepared in a specific way. When a child’s pickiness becomes this severe, it’s known as a feeding disorder.
In some cases, a child may have a feeding disorder due to physical difficulties with chewing or swallowing, a condition called dysphagia. This is particularly true for children who require tube feedings.
Regardless of why your child struggles to eat, feeding therapy at Skills on the Hill can help. To learn more, request an appointment at our Washington, DC or Arlington, VA pediatric clinic today.
Understanding the causes and symptoms of feeding disorders
There are several potential causes of feeding disorders and dysphagia, and your child’s exact symptoms will vary depending on their condition’s cause. Some possible causes include the following:
- Nervous system disorders (such as cerebral palsy)
- Autism
- Cleft lip or palate
- Asthma or other breathing issues
- Acid reflux or other stomach issues
- Heart conditions
- Weakness in the head, neck, or face
- Medications that affect appetite
- Sensory issues
Symptoms for feeding disorders are just as varied. However, there are a few key symptoms to watch out for. One of the most important is to consider how your child reacts at meal times. Are they excited to eat? Or are they often agitated and upset, including refusing to eat or drink entirely?
If it’s the latter, they may have a feeding disorder and would benefit from feeding therapy at Skills on the Hill. Be on the lookout for additional symptoms, too, such as the following:
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Strong sensory preferences when it comes to food (for example, only eating a small handful of acceptable foods, refusing to try new foods, or frequently refusing food because of its texture)
- Taking a long time to eat or drink
- Coughing or gagging during meals
- Not gaining weight or not growing
If your child has a feeding disorder, seeking treatment is essential. If your child is not eating regular, balanced meals, they’re not getting the nutrition they need to grow. They can also risk developing negative attitudes toward food, impacting them for the rest of their lives.
How feeding therapy at Skills on the Hill can help
Our trained pediatric therapists will start by evaluating your child’s eating behaviors to confirm they have a feeding disorder and to develop the best treatment for it. We’ll learn more about your child’s health and eating history. Then we’ll watch your child eat, evaluating how they pick up, chew, and swallow food.
Once we fully understand your child’s particular needs, we can begin our feeding therapy sessions. Our exact treatment methods will vary based on several factors, including the cause of your child’s feeding disorder, health history, and specific symptoms.
For children with sensory issues around food, we’ll work with them to expand their range of acceptable foods, helping them to get used to unfamiliar textures. For example, we might reward your child with a sticker every time they take a bite of a new food.
For children whose feeding disorder is due to motor issues, we’ll help them develop the skills necessary for eating, whether using a utensil or strengthening the muscles used in eating and swallowing.
We’ll also provide counseling and education to help you continue your child’s feeding therapy at home. Strategies like helping children prepare meals, making mealtimes fun, and providing any necessary modifications for eating utensils can all help children improve their eating habits over time.
Request your appointment today
We understand how challenging–and frightening–it can be when your child refuses to eat. Fortunately, feeding therapy at Skills on the Hill will help ensure your child develops the skills and food palate necessary for eating balanced, nutritious meals.
Sources:
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/feeding-and-swallowing-disorders-in-children
https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/Publications/CE-Articles/CE_March_2021.pdf