Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

As a Pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapist, we understand the importance of proper feeding and swallowing. There are many actions that must occur in the mouth and throat for individuals to eat and drink normally. However, swallowing disorders, also known as dysphagia, can occur at any stage of the swallowing process. This can lead to various complications, such as malnutrition, dehydration, and even aspiration pneumonia. As such, it is crucial to seek professional help if you or your child experiences any feeding or swallowing difficulties.

There are many actions which have to occur in the mouth and throat in order for us to normally suck, chew and swallow food/drink. Swallowing disorders are also called dysphagia, and can occur at different stages of the swallowing process.

If you notice your child having some of the following signs, a feeding / swallowing evaluation should be conducted:

• Irritability or lack of alertness during feeding
• Refusing food or liquid
• Failure to accept different textures of food
• Long feeding times
• Difficulty chewing
• Coughing or gagging during meals
• Excessive drooling or food / liquid coming out of the mouth or nose
• Difficulty coordinating breathing with eating and drinking
• Hoarseness, gurgling or poor voice quality
• Frequent spitting or vomiting
• Less than normal weight gain or growth

Our speech therapists will complete a comprehensive feeding and swallowing evaluation and develop an individualized treatment plan to ensure your child can take needed food and liquids. Pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapy helps to improve the strength and coordination of the tongue, mouth and throat to facilitate normal sucking, chewing and swallowing.

Our Program In Batavia

At our practice, we offer specialized services for feeding and swallowing disorders. Our team of experienced therapists utilizes evidence-based approaches to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of feeding and swallowing difficulties. We understand that every individual’s needs are unique, and we develop customized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs.

Our pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapy team includes experts in the areas of feeding and swallowing disorders. We work closely with families to ensure that our therapy plans are both effective and practical, and that they can be easily integrated into daily routines. Our goal is to help children achieve their full potential in feeding and swallowing, leading to improved overall health and quality of life.

We offer a range of services for feeding and swallowing disorders, including oral motor and sensory-based interventions, behavioral feeding therapy, and dysphagia therapy. Our therapy programs are designed to help children develop the skills necessary for safe and effective feeding and swallowing. We utilize a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, such as speech-language pathologists and dietitians, to ensure comprehensive care.

Our therapy programs for feeding and swallowing disorders are evidence-based and follow the latest research in the field. We utilize a variety of tools and techniques to help children overcome their feeding and swallowing difficulties. Our team is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest advances in the field, in order to provide the best possible care to our patients.

In addition to our therapy programs, we offer education and support to families dealing with feeding and swallowing difficulties. We understand that these challenges can be stressful and overwhelming, and we strive to provide families with the resources and knowledge necessary to support their child’s progress at home.

Let Our Batavia Team Help!

If you or your child is struggling with feeding and swallowing difficulties, we encourage you to contact our practice to schedule an evaluation. Our experienced team of pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapists are here to help you and your child navigate the challenges of dysphagia, and to provide comprehensive care that will lead to improved health and quality of life.