What does . . .
On this page you'll find all you need to know about our toddler & big kid feeding program. Our approach to feeding therapy is foundational and holistic, and definitely not generic - so we spent some time explaining it all below.
Feeding therapy is treatment that aims to improve a child's eating skills.
For example, this could mean that a child struggles to chew, or only eats a few foods, or gags often. This can sometimes be an oral motor problem, or a breathing or postural or sensory problem and can be layered in with an element of anxiety as well.
When the jaw, tongue and lips have difficulty doing their jobs, the body develops compensatory movement patterns, causing a cascade of other problems throughout the rest of the body. It's our job as OTs to first uncover these compensatory patterns, and then treat the rest of the body along with the muscles of the jaw, face and tongue, to optimize feeding skills.
FYI - both occupational (OT) and speech therapists (SLP) can be feeding therapists, as long as they have specialized training in the area.
WHAT MAKES OUR FEEDING PROGRAM UNIQUE?
Our approach to feeding therapy is holistic - which means that every aspect of a child's development is taken into consideration when addressing a their feeding skills. Posture, breathing, reflexes, vision, oral motor skills, sensory processing, regulation, strength and endurance - these are all factors that we address as part of our feeding program. We never just work on eating and/or food - that's often one of the last things we do with our kids.
Click below to fill out our service request form.
Maybe. But sometimes "picky eating" is a sign that something deeper is going on.
Difficulties with chewing, oral motor skills, sensory processing, posture, breathing, reflex integration, motor planning, anxiety, or past feeding experiences can all impact a child's relationship with food. Our job is to figure out why eating feels hard and create a plan that addresses the root causes.
We work with children of all ages, from infants breast and bottle feeding and transitioning to solids to older children struggling with food variety, mealtime stress, oral motor skills, or feeding-related anxiety.
We take a comprehensive look at your child's movement and sensory skills, as well as their nervous system, along with their eating and drinking skills and the factors that may be influencing them.
You'll leave with a clear understanding of what we're seeing, why it matters, and what to do next.
It takes about 90 minutes to perform this evaluation.
Yes—but we don't simply focus on getting children to eat more foods.
We want to understand why a child is avoiding foods in the first place. For some children it's sensory. For others it's oral motor, breathing, anxiety, posture, motor planning, or a combination of factors.
Yes. We work with many children who have ARFID or ARFID-like feeding challenges.
Our approach focuses on understanding the "why" behind a child's food restrictions and building skills, confidence, and positive experiences around food. We collaborate closely with families and, when appropriate, other members of a child's care team to provide comprehensive support.
Not every selective eater has ARFID, and not every child with ARFID looks the same. Part of our job is helping families understand what they're seeing and determining the best path forward.
If a child has true ARFID, we often work alongside mental health professionals to appropriately support the anxiety aspect too.
Occasional gagging can be part of learning new skills. Frequent gagging, vomiting, food refusal, extreme texture preferences, or difficulty progressing with eating may warrant a closer look.
No.
We focus on building skills, confidence, curiosity, and positive experiences around food. Our goal is to help children feel successful and safe while gradually expanding their abilities.
No.
We believe progress happens through trust, skill-building, and curiosity—not pressure. Our goal is to help children feel more successful around food, not to create battles at the dinner table.
Absolutely.
Breathing, tongue posture, sleep quality, oral development, and airway function can all influence feeding skills. This is one of the many reasons we take a whole-child approach rather than looking at food in isolation.
Yes. Parents and caregivers are an essential part of the process.
We spend time helping families understand what we're seeing and why. You'll leave with practical strategies and tools you can use at home between sessions.
Every child is different.
Some children need a few sessions to address specific concerns, while others benefit from a longer course of therapy. After the evaluation, we'll discuss recommendations and create a plan that makes sense for your child and family.
Click to fill out our service request form.
▸ Is this picky eating or something more?
▸ My child only eats a handful of foods - especially white/beige foods
▸ My child gags on certain textures
▸ Why won't my child try new foods?
▸ My child won't sit at the table
▸ Meals end in meltdowns
▸ We make separate meals for everyone
▸ My child chews but won't swallow
▸ Food is causing stress for the whole family
▸ My child's eating habits negatively affect their/our social lives
Click to fill out our service request form.