Feeding Therapy
We utilize the SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding, a family-centered program that addresses problematic feeding behaviors in children 12 months old to elementary school age. SOS employs a transdisciplinary approach using systematic desensitization to treat children with feeding difficulties. The approach considers the whole child as it relates to their level of development, including:
- Sensory skills
- Motor skills
- Cognitive skills
- Oral-motor skills
Upon initial evaluation, we will recommend the treatment intervention (individual or group therapy) that will best support your child. Expected outcomes vary based on client and family priorities, your child’s unique response to therapy, and family involvement in therapy and home recommendations.
Feeding Therapy Services
As a part of the SOS feeding approach, the Food Scientist adaptation program supports children who are aware of their feeding difficulties or have been experiencing feeding challenges for a number of years. Food Scientist groups employ various treatment strategies including having the children verbally and cognitively engage with food to increase their food range.
Our feeding groups adhere to a basic SOS tenet of meeting children at their developmental feeding level. This means that we never force a child to eat a non-preferred food. Instead, we guide children in climbing a developmental hierarchy of feeding skills and behaviors through active play and interaction with a variety of foods. This evidence-supported approach contributes to long-term improvement, so that children are able to comfortably and successfully increase food diversity at home, at school, on playdates, at birthday parties, and everywhere in between. We offer feeding interventions using a peer group model, which is an incredibly effective and powerful treatment modality in feeding therapy.
Parental involvement via parent education and, in some cases, session participation is an important part of the feeding therapy process. It gives parents the skills and strategies necessary to support comfortable meal times with their child. We strongly encourage parents to engage in regular consultations to implement and prioritize specific strategies to support their child in expanding their food range and food volume.
