Many families begin by contacting a private clinic directly. The first step is a discovery call to discuss feeding concerns, daily routines, and family goals. From there, the team determines whether the child might benefit more from occupational therapy, speech therapy, or a combination — depending on whether the issues appear more sensory or motor in nature. Families can also start by reaching out to their pediatrician, ENT, or dentist.
Families are asked detailed questions about their child’s sleep, breathing, eating habits, and feeding patterns. Some clinics also request videos of mealtimes at home Feeding therapy assessments can happen either at home or in a clinic setting.
Based on what they observe, along with input from the family, therapists determine whether therapy is needed and what kind of approach may be most helpful. This might include motor-based, sensory, behavioral, or blended strategies.
If therapy is recommended, the next step often involves setting individualized goals tailored to the child’s specific feeding challenges.
For more information, see our full article Feeding Therapy 101. You can also follow our step-by-step walkthrough in the Undivided app to find a feeding therapy provider near you.
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