Feeding Therapy

This is a unique program run by occupational therapists and a dietician working closely together to devise an individualised program that will work for your child and family. We understand that all families and children are different, so the feeding therapy will be individualised, we understand that

• some families work long hours,
• some families manage multiple life-threatening allergies,
• some want to cook, some don’t want to cook,
• some want to try special diets and some don’t.

We respect your choices and will work with you to find solutions that work for your family.

Feeding therapy is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on addressing feeding difficulties in children, this program is designed for children with developmental delay, child trauma, anxiety, ADHD and those who are on the autism spectrum. Feeding difficulties can include a range of issues, such as very limited diets, aversions to certain textures or flavours, difficulty swallowing, problems reading hunger signals, or difficulty transitioning to solid foods.

Feeding therapy can be very beneficial for children Here are a few ways that feeding therapy can help:

1. Develop new food preferences: Feeding therapy can help children learn to tolerate and eventually enjoy a wider variety of foods. Therapists can work with parents to gradually introduce new foods in a safe and supportive environment, using techniques like food chaining to help children build on foods they already like.
2. Improve oral motor skills: Some children may have difficulty with the oral motor skills needed for eating, such as biting, chewing, or swallowing. Feeding therapy can help these children develop these skills through exercises and techniques.
3. Reduce anxiety around mealtimes: Children may experience anxiety or stress around mealtimes, which can make it even more difficult to eat. Feeding therapy can help address these anxieties by creating a calm, supportive environment and helping children feel more comfortable with the act of eating.
4. Address underlying sensory issues: Many children have sensory issues that can make certain textures, flavours, or smells overwhelming. Feeding therapy can help address these sensory issues and create a more pleasant eating experience for the child.
5. Help children identify hunger and thirst signals
6. Help families to build skills to manage sensory issues

Depending on your goals we will use a variety of therapy approaches including SOS, Responsive feeding, Floortime DIR and ESDM.

This service is offered in clinic, sessions may also be held at child care and school or via TELEHEALTH

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42 Villiers St, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia

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In the spirit of reconciliation the Therapy 4 Learning acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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