Having clinical experience relating to dysphagia in the NICU, PICU, preschool, and clinic setting, Melissa’s true passion is working with children who have feeding difficulties.
Feeding/Swallowing Therapy
Having clinical experience relating to dysphagia in the NICU, PICU, preschool, and clinic setting, Melissa’s true passion is working with children who have feeding difficulties.
Feeding Therapy
Does Occupational Therapy Help Children?
Sensory processing disorders
DEVELOPMENTAL OR
COGNITIVE DELAYS
traumatic injuries (brain or spinal cord)
birth injuries/defects
Autism, brain or spinal cord traumatic injuries
Swallowing Therapy For Adults
When you think of it, you require various muscle coordination to eat your food. First, you need to lift the food using a spoon, fork, or hands and put it in your mouth. Once in your mouth, it is time for your teeth to cut the food into small bits. After this, you need to engage your swallowing muscles. As you can see, while it may seem simple, the process involves accurate muscle coordination and timing. You are all familiar with what goes on when there is a miscalculation in this muscle coordination. When your drink goes the wrong way, you will cough. Even worse, a large chunk of meat can easily choke you to death.
Does Occupational Therapy Help Adults?
Alzheimer, Strokes, Injury/Disability
Greater range of motion(ROM)
Reducing chronic pain
Enhance Your Memory and Cognitive Skills
autism, brain or spinal cord traumatic injuries
Directed Approach
A child-directed approach to feeding therapy is one of the most recommended techniques for children. It is a modern technique, with active participation from parents and caretakers.
Behavioral Pattern Approach
A behavioral pattern approach is a more traditional approach to feeding therapy. It’s one that’s familiar to most occupational therapists, though child-led techniques such as play and craft based approaches are more common these days.
Remain Calm And Respectful
Your child has to want to listen to you before you can be in a position to help them. That requires trust. If you notice your child is hesitant about eating and not at ease during your first attempt to introduce a new food, for example, you should try to connect with them. Talk with them. Try playing some games to put them at ease.
Routine Establishment
If you are trying to improve the feeding habits of a child, it is essential to create a routine. This will serve as the guardrails of your child’s daily activities. For example, create a ritual where they have to wash their hands before touching food.
Tap Into Your Imagination
Kids live rich, complex inner lives in emotional worlds that become largely closed to us when we’re adults. They can see things in a way that adults and older children can’t. When you respect their preternatural intelligence and play to their imaginations, you both can develop a deeper comfort level..
Creative Food Presentation
Overhauling food presentation is one of the most effective pediatric feeding strategies. Allowing your child to help you prepare and serve their food can help them develop a healthier relationship with what they eat.
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