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Pediatric Feeding Therapy

Support for safe eating, swallowing, and nutrition development.

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Pediatric feeding and swallowing therapy helps children overcome feeding difficulties and develop healthy eating habits.

Tailored therapy approaches address unique challenges:

  • For infants: assessment and intervention includes determining the correct flow rate of formula or mothers’ milk and the ideal positioning for optimal feeding.
  • For toddlers and preschoolers: therapy focuses on addressing oral motor skills and sensory sensitivities to establish safe and effective feeding patterns.
  • For school-aged children: treatment emphasizes resolving texture aversions, expanding food variety, and building mealtime confidence.
  • For children with medical conditions: therapy supports children with specific needs, such as those with feeding tubes or developmental delays, helping them transition to oral feeding when possible.

Verse Therapy offers evidence-based, personalized treatment delivered by experienced therapists through convenient virtual sessions.

Explore Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy Options

Therapy options are personalized to address the unique needs of children with feeding challenges. Key treatments include:

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Oral-Motor Skill Development

Therapy focuses on the use and function of the muscles needed for safe and effective chewing and swallowing, promoting better feeding outcomes.

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Compensatory Strategies

Modification of flow rate through a selection of ideal bottle or nipple systems, changing positioning for feeding, or altering food temperature and consistency can improve feeding and swallowing.

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Sensory Integration Techniques

Therapists help children manage sensitivities to textures, flavors, and temperatures, fostering a more diverse and enjoyable diet.

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Behavioral Feeding Strategies

Therapy focuses on addressing mealtime behaviors and building a positive relationship with food through gradual exposure and positive reinforcement.

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Parent and Caregiver Coaching

It is important to involve families to create supportive feeding environments at home and reinforce therapy goals during mealtime routines.

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Technology-Assisted Learning

Digital tools may be used to engage children in practicing feeding techniques and tracking progress in a fun and interactive way.

Schedule a consultation today to determine how pediatric feeding therapy can help your family.

Benefits of Pediatric Feeding Therapy

Pediatric feeding and swallowing therapy improves a child’s ability to eat safely and effectively while reducing mealtime stress for families. Therapy outcomes are personalized to meet the unique needs of each child. Key benefits include:

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Identifying the Correct Tool or Implement

The correct choice of bottle, nipple, cup, or body position can be critical in safe and effective feeding.

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Enhanced Eating and Swallowing Skills

Therapy improves oral motor coordination, helping children chew and swallow food safely and efficiently.

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Expanded Food Acceptance

Therapy helps children overcome sensory aversions and broaden their diet, ensuring balanced nutrition and healthier eating habits.

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Reduced Mealtime Stress for Families

Therapy provides parents with strategies to create positive, stress-free mealtime experiences and address feeding challenges confidently.

Why Choose Verse Therapy for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy?

Verse Therapy’s unique approach to pediatric feeding and swallowing therapy services provides numerous advantages including:

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Convenience

Virtual therapy removes the need for travel, making it simple for individuals and families to access top-tier pediatric feeding therapy.

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Flexibility

Scheduling virtual therapy sessions can fit into diverse lifestyles and can accommodate work, school, or family responsibilities. This flexibility reduces stress for individuals balancing multiple commitments.

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Accessibility

Virtual therapy ensures access to top providers regardless of location. This is particularly beneficial to providers in areas or regions with limited in-person therapy options.

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Personalized Care

Virtual therapy provides one-on-one, customized sessions tailored to each child’s and families’ unique feeding challenges and goals.

What to Expect from Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy

There are several stages to pediatric feeding and swallowing therapy including:

01Initial Consultation

Therapists assess feeding and swallowing challenges through observations, parent interviews, review of medical history, and evaluations of oral-motor, swallow, sensory, and behavioral factors.

02Personalized Treatment Plan

Therapy plans are tailored to each child’s unique needs, focusing on achievable goals that address compensatory strategies, oral-motor skills, sensory aversions, or behavioral concerns.

03Ongoing Sessions and Monitoring

Progress is regularly reviewed, with therapy techniques adjusted to support steady improvement in feeding and swallowing abilities.

04Long-Term Skill Development

Strategies are provided to help families maintain progress, including practical tips for mealtimes, at-home exercises, and caregiver training.

Meet Our Pediatric Feeding Specialists

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April Jackson
April Jackson is a neuroaffirming Speech-Language Pathologist with licensed expertise in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating speech, language, and communication disorders as well as feeding difficulties while utilizing culturally aware, evidenced-based practices. April has extensive experience working with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and encourages generalization of multi-modal communication skills in an intentional effort to improve the quality of life experienced by the clients she has been called to serve. April believes in tailoring individualized speech therapy treatment plans specific to each client’s unique needs. She is an advocate for nurturing neurodiversity affirming communication skills through training and education to families and caregivers in order to promote functional communication skills. April earned a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2016 and has experience in various settings including adult rehabilitation, public schools, pediatric private clinics, ABA centers, as well as home health. **My Approach to Therapy** My inclusive, affirming, evidence aware, client led approach to therapy prioritizes connection and support intrinsic motivation **What a Session Looks Like With April** Emotionally supportive to both clients and families, interactive to peak the interests of client, taking intentional time to understand client’s unique strengths/interests, while guiding clients toward their goals **Fun Facts About April** I love cuddling up with my husband and watching a great film, going on walks with friends, and spending quality time with family. In my spare time I enjoy karaoke, making vision boards, and reading a good book.
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Claudia Tweedie
Claudia has been working with families and their young children for the past 15 years. It is a passion of hers to help parents and caregivers increase their children’s speech and language skills to enhance all areas of communication, but especially in helping little ones be able to make their wants and needs known, and for parents to understand what their young children want and need. She also thoroughly enjoys helping parents who are concerned with their child’s feeding habits and behaviors.
Victoria Hughes
Victoria is a Speech-Language Pathologist with a passion for helping children of all ages develop effective communication skills. She holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and has experience working with a wide range of clients, from early communicators building their first words to older children needing support with social communication and intelligibility. Victoria's expertise includes early language development, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), and articulation. She has extensive experience with AAC across all access methods, including eye gaze, touch, switches, and more, ensuring that individuals can communicate in the way that works best for them. She is particularly passionate about supporting young children as they develop foundational language skills. She works with families to encourage early communication, expand vocabulary, and build language through play, interaction, and meaningful experiences. Victoria also supports children who may be late talkers, have language delays, or need additional support to express themselves effectively. Her goal is to help individuals gain confidence in their communication and provide families with the tools and strategies to support success. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** I take a naturalistic, play-based approach to therapy, believing that the most meaningful learning happens through real-life experiences and engagement. Whether working on early language, articulation, AAC, or social communication, I prioritize connection, motivation, and functional communication. I use play as a powerful tool to encourage language development, following their lead to create meaningful interactions that support growth. I also place a strong emphasis on parent education, empowering families with strategies to support communication in everyday routines. My goal is to make therapy both effective and enjoyable while equipping caregivers with the tools they need to help their child succeed. **What A Session Looks Like With Victoria** Every session is tailored to the individual's needs, strengths, and communication goals. I create a fun, engaging, and supportive environment where learning happens naturally. For younger children, sessions are play-based, incorporating movement, toys, books, and everyday routines to encourage meaningful language development. For older children, sessions may focus on social communication, articulation, AAC use, or building independence with communication strategies. I incorporate engaging games and activities centered around their preferred interests to keep sessions motivating and meaningful. If AAC is part of the plan, I ensure the system is functional and accessible, incorporating various access methods like touch, eye gaze, or switches based on the child's needs. I also focus on caregiver involvement, providing hands-on coaching and strategies to help communication continue beyond the session. My goal is to make therapy feel natural and practical, giving each child the tools they need to be successful in their daily lives. **Fun Facts About Victoria** I’m an identical twin and originally from Washington State, where I developed a love for the outdoors. I now live in Florida with my husband, and we spend a lot of time in our garden, growing everything from flowers to veggies. We’re also kept busy by our energetic bull terrier, who always brings a little extra chaos and joy to our home.

FAQs about Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy

Take the First Step Toward Better Feeding Habits

Pediatric feeding and swallowing therapy can be life-changing in terms of helping children and families overcome feeding challenges and build healthy eating habits.