About Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Children
Infants and children typically gain their nutrition through drinking and eating an age appropriate diet. It can be very worrisome as a parent to experience your child not eating well or struggling to maintain a healthy weight. The ability to bite, move and chew food requires a significant amount of coordination of the lips, tongue and jaw. Medical diagnoses and delayed development of motor skills can affect the ability to feed and swallow efficiently, and does require specialized therapy. That's where Childworks Therapy Clinic can help. Our licensed and certified Sioux City Speech and Language Pathologists work with your child and family to create positive meal time routines, improve oral sensorimotor feeding patterns, and empower intuitive eating patterns in the child.
Does my child need feeding therapy?
Key indicators that your child may benefit from feeding and swallowing therapy:
-
Chokes, coughs or vomits when eating
-
Difficulty chewing / swallowing
-
Issues maintaining a healthy weight
-
Limited diet repertoire (less than 20 foods)
-
Omits or refuses foods
-
Prefers certain brands of foods
-
-
Mealtimes feel exhausting or dreadful
-
Medical complexities affecting oral intake
-
Pocketing / overstuffing foods
-
Transitioning to oral feeding from NG or G-tube
Get a free phone screening with one of our experienced Sioux City Speech Language Pathologists today:
During your initial visit, our highly trained speech-language pathologists will evaluate your child's vital and fundamental ability to drink and eat through formal and informal assessment. Assessments are customized to each child and may include a combination of observations, oral motor examination, and developmental history. At the conclusion of the assessment, we will share the results and make recommendations for your child that include a measurable treatment plan. The length of time your child may need therapy varies from child to child.
What to Expect in Feeding Therapy
We work with you and any other medical professionals (Dentists, Orthodontists, ENTs, Gastroenterologists, Allergists, Primary Care Physicians, etc.) to determine the best plan for success.
Common Disorders that Benefit from Feeding & Swallowing Therapy
-
Autism Spectrum Disorder
-
Cleft Lip and Palate
-
Developmental Delays
-
Down Syndrome
-
General Feeding / Swallowing Disorders
-
Genetic Disorders
-
Traumatic Brain Injury
Baby Led Weaning & Starting Solids
PARENT COACHING
Are you feeling overwhelmed by starting solids with your baby and don’t know whether to start with baby led weaning or puree feeding?
We provide individualized coaching sessions* to parents wanting to know the basics of how and when to start solids with their baby.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
CONSULTATION
One introductory 30 minute phone call with parent or caregiver.
VIRTUAL VISIT
One mealtime virtual call.
ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES
Printable educational resources for starting solids.
Contact our office today to set up a starting solids parent coaching session with one of our infant feeding specialists.
*Disclaimer: While we are licensed speech-language pathologists specially qualified to assist you and your child with feeding, it is imperative that you understand that Parent Coaching is an educational service, meant to empower and educate you, and help guide you through very minor challenges with feeding. These coaching consults are NOT a speech or feeding service, even though we are speech language pathologists. They are NOT intended to evaluate or diagnose your child and should never replace medical advice by healthcare professionals providing care to your child. If you have concerns about your child’s feeding skills, we recommend you seek out an in-person evaluation and treatment by one of our highly qualified speech language pathologists or an in-state provider in your area. If you continue with booking a virtual 1:1 coaching consult, it is implied that you understand and agree with this information.
_edited.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
AAC Therapy Programs
Childworks Therapy Clinic offers additional therapy programs that are not billable through insurance and would be the financial responsibility of the patient. These services are additional supports that families can pursue to enhance their child's skills in communication and most specifically low tech and high tech AAC supports. These services are available at the request of the patient or recommendation of their treating therapist. The services are always discussed and agreed to by both parties before patient is billed for these services. Contact our clinic for more information and pricing.
Parent Collaboration: If you are considering AAC for your child or wanting more information about how AAC could benefit your child's communication, we offer parent consulting via phone, zoom, home visit, or at the clinic. This opportunity allows parents to collaborate with a speech language pathologist with advanced experience in assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Contact us to discuss consulting costs.
AAC Consulting
Full Device Programming: Includes a 30 minute consult with family and speech language pathologist to determine programming needs of the patient. Device is then fully programmed at a cost per hour.
Partial Device Programming: Includes a 15 minute consult with family and speech language pathologist along with programming of a CORE vocabulary page and three personalized folders.
Contact us to discuss programming costs.
AAC Programming
Observation: At the request of a parent/caregiver, our specialized speech language pathologists can come and observe your child in their daycare or school setting. We will then provide helpful suggestions to caregivers on how to best support your child's communication throughout the day and provide a detailed observational report with how to best implement the use of their communication device into these settings.
Contact us to discuss AAC observation costs.
AAC Observation
Professional Training Collaboration:
One of our specialized speech language pathologists will provide professional support via phone, zoom, or employment location to assist in the communication needs of their customers, employees, and/or students.
Contact us to discuss professional training costs.
AAC Training for Professionals
Feeding & Swallowing Therapy Free Screenings & Appointments
The first step to finding the answers you need starts here:
