Feeding & Oral Function
Feeding is about much more than eating. It requires the coordinated movement of the lips, tongue, jaw, and facial muscles to chew, move food within the mouth, and swallow safely and efficiently. Feeding and oral motor challenges can occur for many reasons and may affect a child's ability to chew, drink, manage different food textures, or develop age-appropriate eating skills.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from a Feeding Evaluation
Your child may benefit from a feeding evaluation if they:
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Have difficulty chewing or managing age-appropriate foods
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Frequently gag, cough, or choke while eating or drinking
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Have difficulty drinking from a straw or open cup
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Prefer only certain food textures or consistencies
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Are picky eaters or extremely selective with foods
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Take an unusually long time to finish meals
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Have difficulty coordinating the lips, tongue, or jaw during feeding
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Avoid eating certain foods because they are difficult to chew or swallow
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Have been referred by a physician or another healthcare professional
Feeding Evaluations
A feeding evaluation helps identify the factors affecting your child's ability to eat, drink, chew, and swallow with ease. Depending on your child's needs, the evaluation may assess:
Oral motor skills for feeding
Lip, tongue, and jaw coordination
Chewing skills
Drinking skills
Swallowing function
Food manipulation within the mouth
Food acceptance and variety
Mealtime routines and behaviors
How Therapy Can Help
Treatment focuses on developing the oral motor skills needed for safe, efficient, and enjoyable mealtimes while addressing the underlying factors contributing to your child's feeding difficulties.
Depending on your child's needs, treatment may incorporate:
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Oral motor therapy for feeding
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Chewing skill development
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Drinking skill development
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Food exploration and acceptance strategies
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Sensory-based feeding approaches, when appropriate
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Parent coaching and home strategies
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Collaboration with physicians and other professionals, when appropriate
