Feeding, Eating and Swallowing Program

 

For most of us eating is one of life's greatest pleasures. However, many children and their families find the process difficult and frustrating.


Are you concerned about your child's growth,    nutrition, manners, or delayed transition from baby     food to table food?


Are you frustrated with your child's picky eating      habits?


Are you experiencing difficulties breast feeding?


Are you worried that your child is over or under weight?



Our Program can help you and your child achieve success and make eating a pleasurable experience.

What qualifications should your therapist have?




In-depth knowledge of anatomy, neurophysiology and physiology of the head and neck and an understanding of the phases of eating. This is necessary to accurately evaluate any structural, neuromotor, cognitive or sensory factors that may support or interfere with feeding, eating and swallowing.


Awareness of common medications and their purposes


Understanding and respect of cultural differences


Access to specialized equipment that may be useful in optimizing feeding/eating behavior


Able to create individualized nutritious diets

At Rehabilitation Associates, P.C. treatment is provided by an occupational therapist or speech/language pathologist who meets all of these qualifications.   In order to optimize your child's success:

Treatment will be provided in your home, our clinic and/or your child's day     care setting


We will consult with teachers or day care providers

What do we believe?

Eating is a complex process involving not only your child's needs but the involvement of your family's reactions and priorities. Learning about feading starts at birth, the way your child eats and accepts food and feels about eating is determined to a great extent by his early experiences with eating. These experiences may have a positive or negative effect that can last a lifetime.

You may have been frustrated by discussing or attempting to use information from support groups, friends, grandparent's etc... What may have worked for another child may not be right for your child. We consider your child an individual, unlike any other child we've seen.

Clients In Treatment
One of the first steps of successful feeding is to understand the division of responsibility between you and your child. During various stages of social-emotional development, your child needs to feel trust, not just towards you, but towards his environment. The division of responsibility is simple:

Parents are responsible for what is on the table and how it is presented. Children are responsible for, what they eat.

We recommend the following web site:

New Visions



If you are interested in learning more about our feeding programs contact Tracy Miller tmiller@rehabilitationassociates.com