For most children, eating is a fun and routine part of each day. However, recent studies show that one out of four children typically require some type of feeding therapy during the development years. Feeding issues can prevent children from eating enough to grow and develop.
Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy in Washington, DC and Arlington, VA is proud to offer a comprehensive feeding program designed to meet the specific needs of the child. Our therapists will work closely with the family and caregivers to ensure the child receives the best care.
Feeding therapy is appropriate for children who:
- Are at risk for malnutrition, undernutrition, or poor weight gain during infancy or in childhood
- Are experiencing difficulties with latching to bottle/breast
- Require nutritional supplements
- Have supplemental tube feedings
- Display poor feeding endurance
- Can eat by mouth but have weaning difficulties because of tube feedings
- Are experiencing feeding challenges due to tongue tie or have undergone a tongue tie release
- Have swallowing difficulties or oral motor problems
- Have food aversions or display inappropriate behaviors that interfere with eating and family routines
- Have difficulty transitioning to age-appropriate food textures
- Are challenged by eating/feeding utensils
- Exhibit very restrictive eating patterns and have a very narrow food repertoire that prevents him/her from being able to eat at parties, friends houses, or restaurants
When a child participates in feeding therapy at Skills on the Hill, the therapist may be an occupational therapist or a speech-language pathologist or both depending on the child’s profile and specific areas of need. Feeding therapy is always child led and we incorporate play into treatment sessions as much as possible so that the child is comfortable and feels a sense of control.
The relationship between the child and therapist is extremely important in laying a foundation for trust and comfort as foods are explored. Parents play an important role on the therapy team and are often involved in sessions or planning food trials as they are the ones who support progress by carrying over strategies to the home and community environments.
If your child is an infant, our feeding evaluation will consider oral motor skills, postural strength, symmetry, and endurance, and environmental factors that influence a baby’s ability to feed effectively and efficiently. Taking a whole baby and whole family approach to feeding, our therapists will support families in their journey from the first weeks of a liquid diet through to the introduction of solids foods. Progress in this area can truly change the dynamics of a family that is feeding 10+ times a day.
Give Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy in Washington, DC or Arlington, VA a call today to schedule an appointment.
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