Does your child exhibit extreme pickiness with food, often throwing tantrums or outright refusing to eat at mealtimes? Do they struggle with swallowing, frequently choke on food, or frequently contract pneumonia? Have mealtimes become a contentious issue in your household? If these scenarios resonate with you, consider exploring feeding therapy guided by a specialist at Rockland Dental Specialists. Children facing feeding challenges may have underlying issues such as sensory processing deficits linked to conditions like sensory processing disorder or autism spectrum disorder.
With over two decades of combined experience and a dedication to employing cutting-edge methods, our team is a reliable choice, consistently prioritizing your well-being. Our goal is to offer unparalleled care and kindness to every patient, ensuring a sense of ease in our state-of-the-art environment. We offer comprehensive support – before, during, and after your treatment – to keep you well-informed and prepared for every step of the process.
What Is Feeding Therapy?
Essentially, feeding therapy involves a skilled specialist instructing a child on how to eat or improve their eating skills. This therapy typically takes place once or twice a week for an hour per session. At Rockland Dental Specialist, we build a treatment plan depending on your child’s specific needs, whether sensory, motor, or a mix of both.
Our specialists will develop a sensory-motor strategy to tackle the fundamental challenges hindering your child’s ability to consume age-appropriate meals.
3 Types of Pediatric Feeding Therapy Techniques
Treatment varies based on the individual administering the treatment and your child’s specific condition. There are different feeding therapy techniques, including sensory, motor, and behavioral models, and finding a good fit for your child is essential. Whichever method your therapist utilizes, it is important to note that a feeding therapist should never force food into your child’s mouth without their consent.
The following are three popular approaches:
1. The “Get Permission” Method
This approach advocates for a feeding therapy method anchored in establishing healthy, trust-based feeding dynamics. It emphasizes the importance of oral motor skills and mealtime therapy with adults setting objectives while respecting the child’s rhythm. The key is to interpret the child’s signals and advance as the child shows readiness or “gives permission.” Initially, the child might be encouraged to just observe the food, gradually progressing to smelling, touching, licking, tasting, and ultimately consuming it.
2. Beckman Oral Motor Technique
The Beckman Oral Motor protocol concentrates on assisting individuals who face oral motor challenges in eating. It aims to enhance functional response to sensory input in the mouth, including pressure and movement. This method works on improving the range, strength, diversity, and coordination of movements involving the lips, cheeks, jaw, and tongue, thereby aiding in feeding.
3. Behavioral Strategy
Under the behavioral strategy, rewards are employed to encourage food exploration. For instance, a child might receive a sticker for trying a new food item. Consuming an entire piece could earn a larger reward, like a small toy. This approach often finds that once a child is open to trying a new food, they tend to be more receptive and require less incentive for subsequent trials of the same food.
Learn More About Feeding Therapy From Rockland Dental Specialists Today
If you find mealtimes difficult and are considering feeding therapy, explore your options with Rockland Dental Specialists. We recognize the unique needs of each child, tailoring our therapy to meet their specific requirements. Whether your infant, toddler, or child requires our comprehensive services, we are committed to collaborating with you to identify the most suitable therapies for them. This involves crafting a personalized program that aligns with your child’s individual needs and your family’s goals for feeding therapy.
Beyond our exceptional services, we provide complimentary insurance verifications and tailor-made payment options, allowing you to access necessary treatments within your financial means. For more information about feeding therapy, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (845) 400-9205 or complete our online contact form.
