Feeding Therapy

Food is something that all humans have in common. We eat to sustain our bodies and eat to socialize
with others. Adequate nutrition during infancy and childhood is crucial in ensuring the growth, health,
and development of children.

At One World Children’s Rehab, we recognize the importance of good nutrition and how it is vital for healthy growth and development.  Our trained therapists work with parents and families to help their children increase their food inventory and improve skills to eat safely.

Feeding Therapy

Children who benefit from Feeding Therapy


  • Reflux or other stomach issues

  • Being premature

  • Having a low birth weight

  • Cleft lip or palate

  • Sensory issues or autism

  • Muscle weakness in the face 

  • Diagnoses such as Down's Syndrome, cerebral palsy

What is Feeding Therapy?

The goal of feeding therapy is to help our patients develop appropriate feeding patterns and behaviors

that make eating foods safe and enjoyable. Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists

are trained in assisting a child develop appropriate chewing, swallowing behaviors via multiple feeding

therapy techniques. Approaches may include sensory, behavioral, or motor models.

When should a child be referred for feeding therapy?

If any of the behaviors below are affecting a child’s ability to safely eat or enjoy mealtimes, a child may

benefit from receiving a feeding evaluation.


  • “Picky eaters” who have a limited diet and refuse to try new foods

  • Difficulty chewing foods

  • Difficulty swallowing foods or refusing to swallow certain types of food consistencies.

  • Negative mealtime behaviors (tantrums at mealtimes, pushing food away, “shutting down”during mealtimes).

  • Refusing to eat certain food textures.

  • Gagging, avoiding, or sensitive to certain food textures, food temperatures and/or flavors.

  • Struggling to control and coordinate
    moving food around in mouth, chewing and preparing to swallow food.

  • Frequently coughing when eating.

  • Gagging and choking when eating.

  • Pocketing food.