Welcome to Word of Mouth Feeding Therapy

In-Home or Virtual Occupational Therapy Sessions

My Services Can Support:

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 an Occupational herapist 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.