Feeding Therapy in Libertyville, IL 

What Is Feeding Therapy and What You Need to Know:

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

Feeding Therapy aims to help children develop the skills they need to eat independently. This includes learning how to chew food correctly and increasing food variety from each food group.  

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

Children's feeding

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

Feeding Therapy aims to help children develop the skills they need to lead healthy and independent lives. Feeding Therapy is typically provided by a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or other trained professional. 

What are the causes of children’s feeding difficulties? 

Children can have feeding difficulties for a variety of reasons. For example, some children are born with conditions that make eating difficult, such as cleft lip or palate. Others may have gastrointestinal problems that make it painful to eat, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or inflammatory bowel disease. A few may have sensory difficulties which causes sensory aversions to certain textures, smells, etc.

Children who have had traumatic experiences may also be afraid of eating. Whatever the cause, feeding difficulties can be frustrating and stressful for both children and their families. 

Our expert Feeding Therapists at Mobile Therapy Centers understand the challenges that come with feeding difficulties. We individualize each child’s therapy program to ensure they progress toward their goals. 

Our Feeding Therapists specialize in several areas: 

  • Increasing 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 and oral motor skills 
  • Control and coordination of articulators (tongue, lips, cheeks) 
  • Drooling decreases 
  • Anxiety when talking about food 
  • Difficulty chewing foods, typically swallowing food in whole pieces 

We provide professional Feeding Therapy in Libertyville, IL. Schedule a free consultation today! 

What Are the Benefits of Feeding Therapy? 

Feeding Therapy is an evidence-based treatment approach for children with feeding difficulties. While there are many different approaches to Feeding Therapy, all share the goal of helping children develop the skills necessary for oral eating and drinking. 

Below are some of the notable benefits of Feeding Therapy: 

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

When children can eat more comfortably and confidently, they are better able to participate in family meals and other activities. As a result, Feeding Therapy can positively impact the whole family. 

Mobile Therapy Centers is your partner in Feeding Therapy in Libertyville, IL. Our team of expert therapists specialize in Feeding Therapy and will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your child’s unique needs

Schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can help your child! 

When Should I Contact a Feeding Therapist for My Child? 

Feeding difficulties are complex and can impact any child, regardless of age or stage of development. For example, if you’re concerned that your child may have a feeding disorder, it’s essential to contact a Feeding Therapist as soon as possible.  

A Feeding Therapist can provide a comprehensive evaluation to determine if any underlying medical conditions or developmental delays may contribute to the problem. 

Feeding Therapist

They can also develop a personalized treatment plan to help your child learn how to eat more effectively. While it may be tempting to wait and see if the problem resolves independently, it’s vital to seek professional help as soon as possible. With early intervention, feeding difficulties can be effectively treated, and your child can learn to enjoy mealtimes again. 

It can be challenging to watch your child struggle with feeding issues. You may feel helpless and not know where to turn. The good news is that there is help available. Mobile Therapy Centers is the leading provider of Feeding Therapy in Libertyville, IL. 

Our expert therapists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your child’s unique needs. We offer a free consultation so that you can learn more about how we can help your child overcome their feeding difficulties. 

Contact us today to schedule a consultation! 

What to Expect from Feeding Therapy Sessions? 

When parents bring their children to therapy for the first time, they often wonder what to expect from the feeding sessions. Each therapist has their style and approach, but there are some general things parents can expect. 

The therapist will assess the child’s feeding skills and development. They will observe the child eating and drinking and may ask questions about the child’s eating habits and preferences. Based on this assessment, the therapist will develop a treatment plan customized for the child. 

The plan may involve teaching new skills, such as how to eat with a spoon or drink from a cup. It may also involve working on behavioral issues, such as food refusal or negative associations with certain foods as well as sensory aversions to certain food textures, smells, etc. The therapist will also guide parents on how to support their child’s progress in therapy. 

The goal of therapy is to help the child increase food variety and a positive relationship with food. Many children can progress toward these goals with patience and guidance from the therapist. 

At Mobile Therapy Centers, we encourage early intervention to help your child achieve developmental milestones. Our Feeding Therapists in Libertyville, IL, are here to support you and your family. 

Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help your child! 

Living in Libertyville, Illinois 

Libertyville, Illinois, is a historic town with a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The town was founded in 1835 by New England and upstate New York settlers. Libertyville quickly became a thriving community with a variety of businesses and industries. Today, the town is home to just over 20,000 people. The median home price in Libertyville is $450,000, and the cost of living is slightly above the national average. However, residents of Libertyville enjoy a high quality of life, with access to excellent schools, parks, and recreation facilities. In addition, the town’s historic downtown area offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Libertyville is not far from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. As a result, it is easy to see why Libertyville is such an attractive place to live. 

Libertyville, IL to 854 Technology Way Libertyville, IL 60048. Driving Directions

via Cty A34/W Winchester Rd
Fastest route now due to traffic conditions

  • Libertyville Illinois, USA
  • Continue to N Milwaukee Ave
  • Take Cty A34/W Winchester Rd to Technology Way
  • Continue on Technology Way to your destination
  • 854 Technology Way Libertyville, IL 60048, USA

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!