Feeding Therapy in Crystal Lake, IL

What Is Feeding Therapy? What you need to know.

Feeding Therapy helps children with feeding difficulties. Feeding therapy aims to improve the child’s ability to eat and drink safely and effectively.

Feeding Therapy is usually recommended for children who have oral motor difficulties or sensory aversions.  

Feeding Therapy can be valuable for who have trouble chewing, are picky eaters, have food allergies or sensitivities, or have other medical conditions that make eating difficult.

Feeding Therapy usually begins with an evaluation by a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or other health professional. During the evaluation, the therapist will assess the child’s ability to chew and review their nutrition and growth.

Feeding Therapy in Crystal Lake, IL

Based on the evaluation, the therapist will develop a treatment plan that may include exercises to improve the child’s chewing, education for the child and their family on safe eating habits and recommendations for changes to the child’s diet.

Feeding Therapy can be helpful for children who have difficulty eating. However, with the help of a therapist, children can learn how to eat more safely and effectively.

What are the causes of children’s feeding difficulties?

Children may have difficulty feeding for a variety of reasons. For example, one common cause is an oral motor problem, making it hard to coordinate the muscles used for chewing and swallowing.

Children with Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, cleft lip or palate and other conditions that affect muscle control are typically at risk. Another possible cause of feeding difficulties is Sensory Processing Disorder, which can make it challenging to tolerate certain textures or temperatures.

Poor oral motor skills can also lead to feeding difficulties, as the child may have trouble coordinating the muscles needed to chew. In some cases, feeding difficulties may be due to an underlying psychological issue, such as anxiety or Autism.

Children with difficulty feeding often require specialized care from a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or dietitian. With help from these professionals, most children can overcome their feeding difficulties and learn to eat normally.

Our team of experienced Feeding Therapists at Mobile Therapy Centers can provide Feeding Therapy for children with various needs.

Our Feeding Therapists specialize in several areas:

  • Expanding a child’s variety and intake of foods
  • Creating a positive mealtime experience
  • Work on desensitization toward textures
  • Support children by working on sensory issues & oral motor skills
  • Control & coordination of articulators (tongue, lips, cheeks)
  • Decrease drooling
  • It helps with anxiety when talking about food
  • Difficulty chewing foods, typically swallowing food in whole pieces

Early Intervention plays an essential role in a child’s success in eating. We will be more than happy to assist you in learning more about our Feeding Therapy services or scheduling an evaluation with our highly trained therapists in Crystal Lake, IL.

What Are the Benefits of Feeding Therapy

What Are the Benefits of Feeding Therapy?

Feeding therapy is a type of therapy that specifically focuses on helping children develop the skills needed to eat independently. Feeding therapy can be beneficial for children who have trouble with any stage of the feeding process, including chewing, drinking or coordinating breathing and eating.

Benefits of Feeding Therapy include:

  • Improved nutrition and growth
  • Improved oral motor skills
  • Improved social skills
  • Improved self-esteem

While the specific goals of therapy will vary depending on the child’s needs, the overall goal is to help the child develop the skills necessary for healthy eating. This may include learning to chew food correctly, increasing food variety from each food group and improving oral-motor skills.

In some cases, Feeding Therapy may also help a child learn to accept new foods or textures. Feeding Therapy can be an important tool in helping a child develop a healthy relationship with food and develop the skills necessary for proper nutrition.

Feeding Therapy intervenes at the earliest stage possible to prevent long-term problems with eating, nutrition, and growth. This is where our team of experienced therapists at Mobile Therapy Centers can help.

Our Feeding Therapists specialize in this area and work with children of all ages. We understand that each child is unique and develop an individualized treatment plan to meet your child’s specific needs.

Start your child’s Feeding Therapy journey today. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our expert therapists in Crystal Lake, IL.

When Should I Contact a Feeding Therapist for My Child?

Most infants and toddlers go through phases where they are picky eaters. This is usually nothing to worry about and will resolve itself over time. However, if your child is persistently refusing to eat or is losing weight, it may be time to seek help from a Feeding Therapist.

Feeding Therapists are specially trained to deal with feeding issues in children. They can assess your child’s eating habits and provide practical guidance on how to improve them. They can also offer nutrition advice and help you develop a meal plan that meets your child’s needs.

Parents are the first line of defense regarding their child’s health, so it is vital to trust your instincts. Contact our specialists at Mobile Therapy Centers in Crystal Lake, IL if you are concerned about your child’s eating. In addition, we can help you understand your child’s eating habits and develop a plan to improve them.

What to Expect from Feeding Therapy Sessions?

Children’s Feeding Therapy sessions focus on improving a child’s ability to eat. In addition, the therapist will assess the child’s current feeding skills and develop a treatment plan to address the child’s specific needs.

The therapist may also work with the child’s caregivers to provide information and support. Treatment may involve food play, oral motor exercises, and positive reinforcement.

Feeding Therapy often uses specialized equipment, such as highchairs, feeding tubes, and utensils for kids with fine motor difficulties. 

Therapists may use games and activities to teach kids about food characteristics to help decrease anxiety around non-preferred foods.   

The therapist will help the child progress at their own pace and provide support and encouragement along the way. With patience and practice, children can learn to enjoy eating and develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Patience, love, and support are the critical ingredients for success in Feeding Therapy. The therapist will provide guidance and support, but it is also crucial for parents to be involved in the process.

If you are interested in learning more about Feeding Therapy or would like to schedule a free consultation, contact Mobile Therapy Centers today. We serve families in Crystal Lake, IL, and the surrounding areas.

Crystal Lake, Illinois to 385 Millennium Drive Crystal Lake, IL 60012. Driving Directions

via E Crystal Lake Ave and Erick StFastest route now due to traffic conditions

  • Crystal Lake Illinois, USA
  • Head east on E Crystal Lake Ave toward N Main St
  • Turn left onto Erick St
  • Use any lane to turn right onto IL-176 E/E Terra Cotta Ave
  • Take Knaack Blvd, Dakota St and Millennium Dr to your destination
  • 385 Millennium Dr Ste C, Crystal Lake, IL 60012, United States
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Elaina Pagliarulo AACOTA/L, AAT Handler

Elaina is a part of our MTC Occupational Therapy Department and received an education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, McHenry County College, and Husson University. She has a strong passion for working with both animals and children. Elaina has always wanted to incorporate both of these passions into her career and is incredibly excited to bring Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) to Mobile Therapy Centers!

MTC's Therapy Dog: Rocky

Rocky is an Australian Mountain Doodle who loves to learn, play, and meet new people. Rocky joined our MTC team when he was just 8 weeks old and has been training to support the clients of MTC from day one. His kind and loving nature makes him the perfect match for Animal-Assisted Therapy, and Rocky can not wait to meet all his new friends through the MTC AAT program!