Feeding Therapy Archives - Westside Children’s Therapy

What Is ARFID? Understanding Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Kids

May marks both Pediatric Feeding Disorder Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to spotlight ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). ARFID is a condition that involves both feeding and mental health challenges.

Tips for Navigating Picky Eating Around the Holiday

Feeding Therapy, Parent Education

The holidays are just around the corner, which usually means big family gatherings, Thanksgiving dinners, and the challenge of getting your picky eater to try anything beyond their favorite go-to foods!

picture of picky eater feeding therapy illinois

11 Effective At-Home Tips for Your Picky Eater

Children Activities, Feeding Therapy

There are a multitude of reasons a child can be a picky eater, from personality traits to social and paternal/maternal influences and eating patterns. Sometimes, your kid is just a kid.

My Child is a Picky Eater. Does Pediatric Feeding Therapy help?

Feeding Therapy

Feeding therapy is conducted by a specially trained speech-language pathologist and/or occupational therapist with the goal to reduce mealtime aversions and increase overall food repertoires for proper nutritional intake. It typically is for “problem eaters” between 18 months and 18 years of age. Therapy or follow-up visits may be recommended with a frequency determined by the child’s needs.

aac devices being used at Westside by a child during a therapy session

What are AAC devices and how can they help my child?

ABA Therapy, Feeding Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy

As human beings, we were designed to communicate. As communicators, we should be able to request, question, comment, express feelings and emotions, etc.

While some may not use their words to communicate, everyone should at least have the tools to be able to communicate.

What does a pediatric feeding therapy session look like for your child?

Feeding Therapy

Pediatric feeding therapy sessions at Westside address children with feeding and swallowing difficulties in multiple ways. Feeding/eating is the most complex behavior a body can perform. Eating involves the entire sensory system, all organs, muscles, learning/development based on age, nutritional status, and environment.