In Home and Virtual Feeding Therapy
Welcome to Word of Mouth Feeding Therapy
In-Home or Virtual Occupational Therapy Sessions
Overview:
Feeding difficulties in infants, toddlers, and children involving oral motor skills, sensory issues, and behaviors.
Infants:
Difficulty with sucking, swallowing, and breathing during feedings
Fatigue or falling asleep during feedings
Gagging, coughing, or spitting up during or after meals
Challenges moving from purees to solids to table foods
Toddlers and Children:
Eating Behavior:
Picky or selective eating
Reluctance to try new foods
Refusal to sit at the table with non-preferred foods
Negative mealtime behaviors (crying, tantrums, refusing to eat)
Chewing and Swallowing:
Difficulty handling different food textures
Trouble moving food in the mouth and preparing to swallow
Frequent coughing, gagging, or choking when eating or drinking
Food Transitions:
Struggles with transitions (e.g., bottle to purees, purees to solids)
Difficulty moving from a feeding tube to oral feedings
Sensory Issues:
Gagging or avoiding certain textures, temperatures, or flavors
Feeding Challenges:
Fussiness or irritability during feeding
Prolonged feeding times (over 30 minutes for infants, 30-40 minutes for toddlers/young children)
Inability to feed themselves
Fatigue during feeding
What to Expect:
I use a gentle, non-forceful method for feeding therapy. I am a therapist that is committed to a neuro-affirming perspective.
My approach is informed by various courses and my experiences as both a therapist and a parent. These methods include Dr. Kay Toomey's evidence-based Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, Dr. Debra Beckman's Oral Motor Protocol, Responsive Feeding, Get Permission, and Talk Tools.
I will evaluate your child to determine the most suitable approach or combination of approaches. I do not use a one-size-fits-all method; each client is assessed individually to address their unique strengths and needs. Every child is different and deserves personalized care.