Feeding Therapy Austin TX
Expert Feeding Therapy in Austin, TX
Have meal times become increasingly complex? Prism Speech offers feeding therapy in Austin, TX.
Like most people, you can eat and drink without a second thought. While eating seems simple, it involves numerous tissues and organs working harmoniously to accomplish the complex task of taking and digesting food. Think about it:
- You put food into your mouth.
- Then, you have to chew the food until pulverized.
- You swallow to transport it to your stomach.
- Your stomach and intestines absorb nutrients before eliminating the waste.
Part of eating is a conscious effort, while the other portion involves automatic bodily responses.
Some children struggle with one or multiple steps in this complicated process, resulting in feeding disorders. These disorders can indicate medical, developmental, or oral motor conditions. Our multidisciplinary approach to such concerns helps your child try new foods, navigate food intake, and nourish their growing body and mind.
Signs you Need Infant Feeding Therapy
Children with feeding disorders come in all ages and from diverse backgrounds. Your infant might fail to latch onto a bottle or breast. Your toddler may fail to meet solid food milestones. Your preschooler could become disruptive or destructive, like clockwork, at dinner time.
Their struggles may scare and frustrate you. They likely wrestle with similar feelings.
Neither you nor your child are alone when you work with Prism Speech’s specialists in Austin, TX. You have a whole team of qualified therapists in your corner.
You might benefit from feeding therapy sessions if:
Picky about Trying New Things
Child Doesn’t Thoroughly Chew Food
Choke or Gag Frequently When Eating or Drinking
Becomes Sick with Vomiting or Diarrhea after Mealtimes
Child Avoids Specific Foods Due to Texture or Other Sensations Related to Taste or Touch
Struggles with Behavioral Outbursts Related to Meals, Snacks, or other Eating Activites
What to Expect During Feeding Therapy Sessions
We introduce our patients and their parents or guardians to therapy with a consultation call. Your therapist will get to know you and address your questions or concerns. Then, they will schedule an evaluation with you and your child.
The evaluation can last up to 90 minutes. Your child’s specialist will spend time with them, exploring their struggles. Then, they will craft future sessions and recommend mealtime activities based on their observations.
Our approach to therapeutic sessions changes with your child’s needs. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for feeding therapy in Austin, TX. Your child may accept a new food group one week but become put off by another the next. We ride those transitions with an encouraging, positive environment.
Feeding Therapy Methods We Use
Our main objective is to help your child with healthy weight gain, introduce them to new food groups, demystify foods that put them off, and ensure they receive the nourishment they need to grow. We implement therapeutic methods, including:
SOS Approach
The sequential-oral-sensory approach familiarizes children with new foods in a safe, no-pressure environment. Your child will play and experiment with unfamiliar snacks to learn about them.
Oral Placement
A therapist will help your child learn to move and place their tongues, mouths, and teeth for a better eating experience.
Categorization
Your child engages in structured games that teach them to separate foods by color, shape, texture, or flavor.
NDT
A therapist helps your child expand their oral movements through neurodevelopmental treatment.
Lactation or Bottle Feeding Assistance
If your baby struggles to latch onto a bottle or breast, you can consult with one of our lactation specialists.
Fed is Best at Prism Speech ATX in Austin TX
Our team at Prism Speech understands that children learn through play. They also have different play preferences. Therefore, we develop treatment plans to accommodate their interests.
Call 512-387-0332 to make snacks and mealtimes fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
Feeding therapy can be as complex as eating. We answered a few common questions below.
Does feeding therapy help picky eaters?
Feeding therapy can help picky eaters! Sometimes, picky eating habits develop because of texture aversions or swallowing difficulties, both of which can benefit from pediatric feeding therapy.
How can I tell if feeding therapy is working for my child?
You can tell if feeding therapy is working for your child when they become accepting of new foods, gain healthy weight, or chew and swallow normally. Some patients show improvements within two weeks.
What therapeutic methods can I use at home?
You can use therapeutic methods like attractive meal presentations or asking your child to help you prepare food at home. Encouraging your child to indulge in food in positive ways helps demystify new foods and overcome oral motor challenges.