We recently introduced you to our newest team member, Katherine McKimmy, MOT, OTR/L. In our introduction, we shared all of Katherine’s amazing accomplishments in regards to additional training to be able to better serve her pediatric clients. And now we are excited to share with you that Katherine will begin offering Pediatric Feeding Therapy in our office beginning November 10th!
As an experienced Feeding Therapist, Katherine has been instrumental in helping
- infants be able to efficiently breast/bottle feed with reduced time, increased consumption, and decreased pain.
- infants be able to progress from bottle/breast feeding when previously declining spoon feeds.
- infants progress with solids after previously gagging/vomiting with any added texture.
- toddlers be able to remain seated at a table.
- children learn the “steps to eating” and various strategies to explore new foods/textures in a safe environment.
Feeding Therapy
Feeding Therapy evaluations will consist of
- a comprehensive birth and medical history
- feeding history
- parent/caregiver interview
- sensory needs/difficulties
- oral examination
- oral motor function
- eating/feeding performance
- positioning
- mealtime routines/behavior
Feeding therapy treatment will consist of
- Implementation and weekly review/updates of a Home Program
- Therapeutic oral play activities
- Sensory play, supports, and strategies
- Oral exercises
- Just-right challenges to support continued skill building
- Parent education
Feeding therapy treatment will include
- Implementation and weekly review/updates of a Home Program
- Therapeutic oral play activities
- Sensory play, supports, and strategies
- Oral exercises
- Just-right challenges to support continued skill building
- Parent education
Who can benefit from Feeding Therapy?
- Infants that struggle with bottle/breast feeding
- Infants that struggle with transitioning to purees/solids
- Eating and swallowing difficulties.
- Children that gag and/or cough during eating/drinking
- Children that pocket food
- Children that suck and/or spit out food
- Children that experience a failure to gain weight or experience a decline in the growth curve
- Picky eaters/limited food repertoire
- Food refusals
- Children that drink their calories and primarily snack
- Children with Sensory Integration Disorder
- Oral/food aversions
- Swallowing difficulties/regurgitation
- Reflux/GI issues
- Tube feeding dependent
- Tongue tie/lip tie
- Prematurity
For a questionnaire from Feeding Matters to help you determine if your child might be a candidate for Feeding Therapy, click here. This questionnaire can generate a report that can be printed and shared with your pediatrician and therapists.
For more information call our office at 813-803-3470. Or to request an Occupational Therapy Evaluation for Feeding Therapy, click here.