Feeding Therapy
in Lawrenceville, GA
Rogers Bridge » Feeding Therapy
Why isn’t
my child eating well?
Whatever the age of a child, eating should be a pleasant experience. It should be a time for bonding between a caregiver and a child. Ideally, mealtime should be filled with smiles and laughter rather than with anxiety and frustration.
When tears are more common than smiles, if you are worried about the amount of food your child is eating, or if you are afraid the child is not eating safely, it is time to talk to about a feeding evaluation. A feeding evaluation is the first step in remediating feeding difficulties. This will help determine the cause of the problems so that a plan can be created to help remediate the anxiety, stress, frustration, and even fear the child may have when eating.
We're passionate about your child's needs.
"Jessie has worked with my son for two years - he's now eating on a regular basis and learning how to communicate. I also feel that she's given me the tools to work with him at home. It's a relief to actually look forward to therapy sessions with no tears." – Anika J
At Rogers Bridge Pediatric Therapy, we provide evaluations and therapy for a large variety of feeding difficulties. Our speech therapists & occupational therapists have extensive training to help overcome these obstacles.
"I'm very grateful for having Ms. Willis support and expertise to help me and my son. We were struggling with the transition to solids and to be honest I was very overwhelmed... my son was born with congenital hydrocephalus and I wasn't sure how to transition from breastfeeding to solids. Ms. Willis has always showed me patience, tought me a lot of strategies and I have recovered the confidence so thanks to her my son now enjoys eating solids and I'm enjoying it too!! My son likes her a lot, he has improved a lot, we have more to achieve but I'm pretty happy because this three months have been a wonderful experience, I really thanks her for her incredible work!!"
– Adriana A.
What are Feeding Difficulties?
Since feeding is a complex issue, there are many problems that fall under the category of feeding difficulties. Whether the child has known feeding difficulties due to medical issues, unable to eat enough food, or is extremely limited in variety of foods, we are here to help. Consistent feeding therapy paired with the family’s participation, can improve the child’s ability to eat a larger variety of food, consume foods and liquids safely, and to increase smiles and confidence during meals.
Call us for an evaluation if your child has any of the following difficulties:
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If you see any signs that the child is not swallowing safely:
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Watery eyes, coughing, wet vocal quality after swallowing, choking.
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Pneumonia
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Unable to drink or eat age appropriate amounts of food due to fatigue.
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Little or no weight gain, failure to thrive.
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Consuming a limited variety of food.
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Unable to chew food.
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Frequent spitting out of food.
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Unable to drink from age appropriate containers.
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Requiring special meals in order for them to eat.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Therapy
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When should I be concerned about my child’s eating habits?
If your child is consistently refusing meals, eating only a limited variety of foods, appears to be in distress during meals, or is not gaining weight appropriately, it may be time to consider a feeding evaluation. Signs like frequent choking, coughing during meals, or trouble chewing are also red flags.
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What is a feeding evaluation?
A feeding evaluation is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a licensed feeding therapist. It typically includes an observation of how your child eats, a review of medical and developmental history, an assessment of oral-motor skills, and a discussion with the caregiver. The goal is to identify the root cause of feeding difficulties and create a personalized treatment plan.
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What does feeding therapy involve?
Feeding therapy is tailored to your child’s specific needs and may include oral motor exercises, sensory exploration, food chaining, and caregiver coaching. Therapy may focus on improving chewing and swallowing skills, increasing food variety, and reducing anxiety around meals.
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Can feeding therapy help with picky eating?
Yes! While all picky eating is not necessarily disordered, feeding therapy can help children who have extreme food aversions, eat only a few foods, or refuse entire food groups. Our therapists use a supportive, step-by-step approach to expand food acceptance in a stress-free way.
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Will I be involved in therapy sessions?
Absolutely. Caregiver involvement is essential to success. Our therapists work closely with families to provide strategies and support that can be used at home. We’ll show you how to make mealtimes more successful and how to carry over skills outside of therapy.
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How often will my child need therapy?
The frequency of therapy depends on your child’s individual needs and goals. After the evaluation, we’ll recommend a schedule that supports steady progress while taking into account your family's availability and priorities.
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Do you work with children who have medical conditions?
Yes. We frequently work with children who have conditions such as reflux, prematurity, sensory processing disorder, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and oral-motor delays. We also collaborate with your child’s medical team to ensure coordinated care.
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What age do you start feeding therapy?
We work with infants, toddlers, and children of all ages. Early intervention is key—if you’re concerned about your baby or toddler’s feeding skills, don’t wait. The earlier we can identify challenges, the easier it is to build positive feeding habits.
Related Resources:
"6 months ago my daughter was struggling with feeding and was pretty much nonverbal. She has made so much progress over the last several months working with Jessie. Mealtimes are no longer a problem for her and she loves to eat. She's also talking more and has almost closed the gap with her same-age peers. I would highly recommend working with Jessie. She is wonderful!" – Lauren A.
Our team provides Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy in Lawrenceville, GA to support children with Feeding Therapy and other developmental needs.
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