Paediatric Feeding & Swallowing
What Is “Feeding” in Speech‑Language Pathology?
Many people are surprised to learn that Speech‑Language Pathologists (SLPs) address feeding as well! This is because the same muscles, nerves and sensory pathways used for speaking also control how we bite, chew and safely move food or drinks from the lips to the stomach. Feeding is more than just getting food in—it’s also about how children feel at mealtimes, how they interact with others, and how they respond to different foods. SLPs support both the physical and social parts of feeding to help make mealtimes safe and enjoyable for the whole family.
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Feeding therapy focuses on:
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Oral‑motor skills – how the tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw coordinate to bite, chew, and swallow.
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Swallow safety – protecting the airway so nothing “goes down the wrong pipe”.
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Sensory experience – tolerating the look, smell, texture, and taste of foods.
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Positive mealtime dynamics – reducing stress for children and parents.
Our Treatment Approach:
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Whole‑child, family‑first care: We start by listening to you and your child’s concerns, your child’s history, and your daily routines—so therapy fits real life, not the other way around.
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Parent coaching: We work with you, not just in front of you. During sessions we demonstrate simple, evidence‑based techniques—like meal‑time positioning, pacing, and responsive feeding cues—then help you weave them into routines you’re already doing (breakfast, bath time, stroller snacks). Our goal is to empower your family to keep therapy going naturally throughout the day, so progress happens without adding stress or extra to‑dos.
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Play-based sessions: yes, we do play with our food! Children learn best through play. We use games, songs, and exploration to build oral‑motor strength and food curiosity without pressure.
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Safety & Science: Our therapy is guided by evidence-based approaches like the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, Sequential Oral Sensory Approach, Food Chaining, and other well-researched methods that support safe swallowing, oral-motor development, and expanding food variety. We tailor each plan to your child’s unique needs, ensuring strategies are safe and effective.
Who Might Benefit from a Feeding Assessment?
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Babies transitioning to solids who gag, vomit, refuse, spit out or pocket food.
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“Picky Eaters”, children with strong texture aversions, behaviours during meals, and/or mealtime anxiety.
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Children with medical backgrounds such as:
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Prematurity or NICU history
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Reflux, aspiration, or recurrent pneumonia
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Tongue‑tie
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Cleft palate, craniofacial differences
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Neurological or genetic conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome)
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Autism spectrum disorder or sensory processing challenges
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What to Expect from a Feeding Assessment
The process begins with a parent intake form, where you’ll share your concerns and provide important medical and developmental history. This helps us understand the big picture before we even meet.
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The assessment itself can take place in person or virtually and includes:
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Caregiver conversation
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Play-based observation
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Mealtime assessment (either live or using videos you bring from home)
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Collaborative goal setting
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Discussion of practical strategies you can start using right away!
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Recommendation for next steps (therapy plan tailored to your child’s needs and goals)
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Handouts to take home! Your therapist will email you relevant information for home practice shortly after the initial assessment.
