Feeding Therapy at Child's Play Therapy Services
At Child's Play Therapy Services, we understand that mealtime can be challenging for some children and their families. We're proud to offer specialized feeding therapy using the SOS (Sequential-Oral-Sensory) approach. This comprehensive, evidence-based program addresses feeding difficulties, focusing on creating a positive and enjoyable mealtime experience.
Our Approach to Feeding Therapy
Here’s how we make a difference:
The SOS approach is central to our feeding therapy services, emphasizing a strengths-based, family-centered methodology.
Individualized Strengths and Pace:
We start by recognizing each child’s unique strengths, setting a pace that respects their needs and body responses.
Intrinsic Motivation:
We tap into what naturally motivates a child, fostering eagerness and enthusiasm to explore new foods.
Strategic Food Selection:
Our therapists employ clinical reasoning to select foods that interest the child and provide the just right challenge in order to broaden their sensory tolerance and build oral motor skills necessary to consume a varied and nutritious diet.
Purposeful Play:
We engage children in targeted sensory motor activities in order to prepare their bodies for eating. Food play is an integral part of developing safety around food with varying sensory attributes.
Developmental Guidance:
Using typical developmental milestones as our guide, we tailor our approach to fit each child's specific neural and physical capabilities, ensuring they learn essential eating skills effectively.
Parent Coaching:
Mealtime is a crucial aspect of family life. We provide coaching to families, parents, and caregivers on empowering children with autonomy and agency in their feeding choices. When children control their own food intake, it fosters the emotional security necessary for them to try new foods. Additionally, your therapist will help you choose foods that align with your child's feeding goals, considering both the oral motor skills we are developing and their specific sensory needs.
Comprehensive Support Across All Dimensions
Our therapy goes beyond just the child. We engage caregivers actively, empowering them with the knowledge to understand their child's cues and communication. This partnership is crucial in creating personalized home feeding strategies that are sustainable and effective.
Empowerment and Problem-Solving:
We encourage children to engage with their food actively, helping them adapt their approach to manage new or challenging textures or tastes.
Family and Cultural Sensitivity:
Our interventions deeply respect each family's cultural background and priorities, ensuring that our support is relevant and respectful.
Goal-Oriented Therapy:
Each family’s goals guide our therapy, allowing us to focus on overcoming any underlying skill challenges that might impede progress.
Why Choose Our Team?
Our occupational therapists and speech therapists are trained in feeding approaches/interventions including the SOS approach, AEIOU approach, and TalkTools© ensuring a comprehensive support system for your child. Our team is skilled in helping children from various backgrounds and with different challenges expand their food repertoire, and strengthen their oral motor skills which leads to joy around the family dinner table.
If you're interested in learning more about our feeding therapy services or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us. Let us help you and your child navigate the path to joyful and healthy mealtimes.