Puddingstone Place will soon be offering feeding evaluations and treatment for individuals ages birth to 18 years old. Feeding is a complex skill and difficulties with feeding can be brought on due to psychological, physical, oral motor, and/or sensory needs that can significantly impact the quality of life of the client and their family. Research shows that 1 out of 5 kids struggles with eating at some point by the time they are 7 years old. Unfortunately, only about half of us will grow out of our feeding challenges without help.
At Puddingstone Place, we use a whole body and sensory based approach in feeding therapy to increase the client’s comfort with food exploration and mealtimes. Individuals who may benefit from feeding therapy include those who: display restrictive eating, will gag or vomit when presented with new foods, avoid certain textures, reject foods that are usually part of a child’s diet, and/or those who are anxious around mealtimes.
An Occupational Therapist will help introduce new foods by gradually increasing the client’s repertoire of various food colors, shapes, sizes, textures, and tastes. The goal of feeding therapy in Occupational Therapy is to increase the client’s nutritional intake in a therapeutic and playful way while avoiding power struggles and placing pressure on the client to eat.
If you’re interested in these upcoming services, please give us a call at 1-800-804-5041 or send an email to info@puddingstoneplace.com.