Feeding Therapy

Children with feeding disorders demonstrate difficulty with gathering, sucking, chewing, and swallowing food. The development of respiration and postural stability, gross and fine motor skills, visual and sensory motor skills, oral motor skills, and cognition all may impact a child's ability to successfully eat and swallow foods. Children who are diagnosed with certain medical conditions, reflux, genetic syndromes, craniofacial anomalies, neurological problems, prematurity, allergies and developmental delay are at a higher risk of feeding difficulties and disorders.

Below are common signs and symptoms of feeding and swallowing problems in young children. If your child presents with some of the following conditions, please contact our office to inquire about a feeding evaluation and feeding therapy services.

Arching or stiffening of the body during feeding
Irritability or lack of alertness during feeding
Refusing food or liquid
Failure to accept different textures of feed (e.g., only pureed foods or crunchy cereals)
Long feeding times (e.g., more than 30 minutes)
Difficulty chewing
Difficulty breastfeeding
Coughing or gagging during meals
Excessive drooling or food/liquid coming out of the mouth or nose
Difficulty coordinating breathing with eating and drinking
Increased stuffiness during meals
Gurgly, hoarse, or breathy voice quality
Frequent spitting up or vomiting
Recurring pneumonia or respiratory infections
Less than normal weight gain or growth

Sources: 1) “Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) in Children.” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, ASHA, www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/Feeding-and-Swallowing-Disorders-in-Children/. 2) Johanson, N. A. (2013). Pediatric Feeding: Comprehensive Management in Early Intervention [PowerPoint slides].

Arching or stiffening of the body during feeding

Irritability or lack of alertness during feeding

Refusing food or liquid

Failure to accept different textures of feed (e.g., only pureed foods or crunchy cereals)

Long feeding times (e.g., more than 30 minutes)

Difficulty chewing

Difficulty breastfeeding

Coughing or gagging during meals

Excessive drooling or food/liquid coming out of the mouth or nose

​​Difficulty coordinating breathing with eating and drinking

​Increased stuffiness during meals

Gurgly, hoarse, or breathy voice quality

Frequent spitting up or vomiting

Recurring pneumonia or respiratory infections

Less than normal weight gain or growth

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Difficulty coordinating breathing with eating and drinking

Increased stuffiness during meals