Feeding therapy is a type of specialized support that is used to teach a child with sensory or motor challenges how to eat or improve how they eat. It focuses on building the physical, sensory, and behavioral skills they need for more successful mealtimes. It can be administered by a speech-language pathologist (SLP), an occupational therapist (OT), or both working together. While an SLP might focus more on swallowing and upper gastrointestinal dysfunction, an OT might take a whole-body approach that can also include swallowing difficulties and upper gastrointestinal concerns, as well as posture, sensory processing, adaptive equipment, and with advanced training, the evaluation and treatment of dysphagia.
Some children might need help feeling comfortable with new textures or building the coordination to chew and swallow safely, while others benefit from consistent routines and gentle encouragement. At its core, feeding therapy focuses on creating a calm, supportive environment where children can feel secure and build confidence around food.
For more information, see our article Feeding Therapy 101.
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