Can my child get feeding therapy at school?

Accessing feeding therapy through the school system can be challenging. Schools are not really in a position to be treating medical issues. While some feeding-related support might be written into a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan, full feeding therapy — especially for complex needs such as oral-motor or swallowing issues — typically isn’t available in most public schools.

Feeding therapy is generally a medical intervention, handled by external providers. While schools might assist with tasks such as helping a child eat safely, more advanced feeding interventions are generally outside the scope of special education services.

That said, schools can still play a supportive role. Practical help, such as opening containers, maintaining consistent mealtime routines, or assigning a trained aide during lunch, can make a big difference in a child’s daily experience, even without medical therapy.

Some schools have on-site nurses or dedicated nurses for individual students with G-tubes. If your child requires specialized care, be sure to ask who will provide it and what their qualifications are. If a student needs a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) for feeding, catheterization, or other medical tasks, these requirements should be included in the student’s IEP and health plan.

For more information, see our full article Feeding Therapy 101.