feeding therapy

Feeding Therapy

Making mealtimes enjoyable again

Home-based feeding therapy

 

Feeding your child can be complex and challenging. We adopt a dynamic, supportive and evidence-based approach to make feeding enjoyable for you and your child. At Wonder Words, we aim to empower, equip and collaborate with you to make positive changes at mealtimes.

 

You and your child may benefit from feeding therapy if:

  • Mealtimes are stressful for the family

  • You are feel that your child is a ‘picky eater’, and are concerned about what and how much he/she is eating

  • Your child takes a very long time to eat (i.e. more than half an hour)

  • You and your child need support for weaning to solids, or texture progression during the weaning journey

  • You and your child need support to optimise mealtime schedules and eliminate snacking throughout the day

  • Your child has difficulties sucking on the bottle or breast

  • Your child has chewing difficulties

  • Your child may have sensory needs (e.g. oral hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity, leading them to overstuff their mouths or may be highly selective or sensitive to certain textures and tastes of food)

 

Our Feeding Services

 

Assessment

During the first visit, our therapists will:

  • Get a detailed history of your child’s medical condition, development and concerns.

  • Physical examination of your child’s mouth and overall body movements.

  • Observe and assess your child’s feeding on the food and drinks. We aim to observe how your child typically eats and drinks in the home environment, including their use of the bottle, cup, straw, and spoons.

  • Observe caregivers and the process of feeding your child.

  • Trial any intervention strategies that may help with the feeding process.

  • At the end of the session, feeding recommendations and intervention plans and strategies will be discussed. Referrals to other professionals for additional assessments or therapy sessions may also be included.

  • Initial assessments may vary between 60 to 90 minutes.

 

Feeding therapy

  • Understand yours and your child’s feeding experiences

  • Support for caregivers to tune in to your child’s cues, and to successfully feed your child

  • Collaborate with caregivers to set goals, to make achievable and positive changes to mealtimes in tandem with you and your child’s pace

  • Build positive and developmentally-appropriate feeding experiences and shape confident and internally motivated feeders

 

 

Seek help early, get in touch with us.

 

  • Feeding Therapy Singapore

    Feeding therapy is designed to help children who experience difficulties in eating, swallowing, or chewing. 

    This service offers a tailor-made approach that addresses specific challenges faced by children, especially those with speech and language development issues. Tailored therapy plans create a comfortable environment for children to enhance their feeding skills and overall development.

    This ensures that each child's unique needs are met, whether they require help managing food textures, improving oral motor skills, or building a more positive relationship with eating. 

    Feeding therapy by Wonder Words goes beyond improving mealtimes; it supports children’s ability to thrive socially, physically, and emotionally.


    Understanding Feeding Therapy

    Feeding therapy helps you support your child in overcoming challenges related to eating and swallowing. Many children face difficulties, such as picky eating, aversions to certain textures or tastes, or issues with chewing and swallowing. 

    These challenges can arise from medical conditions, developmental delays, or sensory sensitivities. Feeding therapy addresses these issues, ensuring your child can enjoy mealtimes and receive the necessary nutrition for healthy growth.

    Common feeding-related disorders include:

    • Sensory Processing Disorder: Your child may struggle with the texture, temperature, or smell of food, leading to avoidance of certain items.

    • Oral-Motor Difficulties: Problems with muscle control in the mouth can affect chewing and swallowing, making it difficult for your child to eat a variety of foods.

    • Dysphagia: This condition involves difficulty swallowing, posing serious health risks and affecting your child’s ability to eat safely.

    • Feeding Aversions: Some children develop a strong dislike for specific foods or mealtime situations, which can stem from negative experiences.

    • Delayed Oral Development: Your child may not develop the necessary oral skills at the appropriate age, leading to challenges in managing food.

    Our therapists assess your child's specific needs through observation, discussions with you, and evaluations of their feeding skills. Based on this assessment, individualised treatment plans are created to target your child's unique challenges. 

    Incorporating a variety of techniques, feeding therapy promotes positive mealtime experiences while gradually expanding your child's food repertoire and enhancing their overall feeding abilities.


    The Importance of Early Intervention in Feeding Therapy

    Early intervention in feeding therapy is essential for ensuring your child’s overall development is on the right track. 

    Addressing feeding issues as soon as they arise can help prevent complications that may affect your child's growth, nutrition, and social experiences during mealtimes. Feeding therapy provides children with the tools and support they need to develop proper eating habits, promoting both physical and emotional well-being.

    Long-term benefits of early intervention in feeding therapy include:

    • Improved Nutritional Intake: Your child can enjoy a wider range of foods, ensuring they receive the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.

    • Enhanced Oral-Motor Skills: Therapy helps develop stronger muscles for chewing, swallowing, and overall oral control, which is vital for speech and eating.

    • Reduced Risk of Food Aversions: Tackling sensory sensitivities early can prevent long-lasting aversions to certain foods, making mealtimes less stressful.

    • Better Social Integration: Learning to eat in a socially acceptable manner allows your child to participate in family meals and social settings, boosting their confidence.

    • Positive Mealtime Experiences: Early intervention helps your child overcome anxiety around eating, making mealtimes more enjoyable and fostering a healthy relationship with food.

    Feeding therapy not only targets immediate concerns but also sets the foundation for long-term health and well-being.


    Our Approach at Wonder Words

    At Wonder Words, our feeding therapy is built around a personalised and collaborative approach. We tailor therapy to meet your child’s unique needs and work closely with you to ensure progress both during and outside of sessions.

    Personalised Therapy Plans

    Our therapists create customised therapy plans that address your child’s specific feeding challenges. Whether focusing on oral-motor skills, sensory sensitivities, or behavioural concerns, we ensure the therapy is effective and tailored.

    Engaging Therapy Sessions

    Therapy is designed to be interactive and fun, keeping your child engaged while addressing feeding difficulties. We use creative techniques to make each session effective and enjoyable.

    Caregiver Involvement

    Caregivers play an essential role in the process. We ensure you’re involved and equipped with strategies to support your child’s progress at home.

    Collaborative Efforts

    Therapists work hand-in-hand with parents, providing guidance to extend therapy benefits beyond the clinic, creating consistency for your child’s feeding improvement.

    Ongoing Support

    Therapy at Wonder Words goes beyond sessions. You’ll receive continuous support and feedback to track your child’s progress and adjust as needed.


    What to Expect from a Feeding Therapy Session

    During a feeding therapy session at Wonder Words, you can expect a supportive, structured environment where your child’s needs are the priority. Each session is carefully planned to help improve feeding skills through targeted activities and personalised techniques.

    Steps Involved:

    1. Initial Assessment
      Therapists start by assessing your child’s feeding abilities, identifying any challenges such as sensory issues or oral-motor delays.

    2. Goal Setting
      Based on the assessment, specific goals are set to address feeding difficulties. This could involve improving chewing, swallowing, or managing food aversions.

    3. Tailored Treatment
      A customised treatment plan is developed, focusing on techniques that align with your child’s unique needs and developmental stage.

    4. Hands-on Therapy
      Therapists guide your child through a range of interactive activities designed to build their feeding skills. Each session adapts to how your child is progressing.

    5. Parent Guidance
      You receive practical strategies to implement at home, ensuring the therapy’s success continues beyond the clinic.

    Activities and Techniques Used:

    • Oral-Motor Exercises
      These exercises focus on improving muscle strength and coordination for better chewing and swallowing.

    • Sensory Play
      Activities help children explore new textures and flavours in a fun, non-stressful way to reduce food aversions.

    • Behavioural Techniques
      Therapists use positive reinforcement to encourage progress and reduce anxiety related to feeding.

    • Mealtime Simulations
      Sessions include practice in real-life feeding scenarios, helping your child gain confidence and independence at mealtimes.

    Feeding therapy is personalised, with techniques selected to match your child’s specific needs, ensuring progress in each session.


    Feeding Therapy for Different Age Groups

    Feeding therapy is tailored to suit the unique developmental stages of each child, making it adaptable for infants, toddlers, and older children. Depending on your child’s age, therapists use different approaches to address specific feeding issues. 

    Approaches for Different Age Groups:

    • Infants
      Therapists focus on addressing difficulties with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. This often includes working on oral-motor skills and improving coordination to ensure safe and effective feeding.

    • Toddlers
      At this stage, therapy may involve helping children transition from purees to solid foods. Sensory issues, food aversions, and picky eating are common challenges addressed through sensory-based techniques and gradual exposure to new textures and tastes.

    • Older Children
      For older children, feeding therapy often targets more complex issues like oral-motor delays or difficulties with chewing and swallowing. Therapy sessions may also focus on improving self-feeding skills and creating positive mealtime behaviours.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Here are some quick answers to the most common questions about feeding therapy.

    1. How Long Does Feeding Therapy Take?
      The duration varies depending on your child’s needs. Some children show progress after a few sessions, while others may require ongoing therapy for several months. Our therapists monitor progress closely and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

    2. What Are the Signs My Child Needs Feeding Therapy?
      Signs include difficulty chewing, swallowing, or transitioning to solids. Refusal to eat certain textures, gagging, and poor weight gain are also common indicators that feeding therapy may be beneficial.

    3. How Is Feeding Therapy Different from Other Therapies?
      Feeding therapy focuses specifically on eating and oral-motor skills. It helps improve muscle coordination for chewing and swallowing and addresses sensory issues that make feeding challenging, in contrast to general speech or physical therapies.

    4. What Techniques Are Used in Feeding Therapy?
      Our therapists utilise oral-motor exercises, sensory exposure to different textures, and behavioural strategies tailored to your child’s specific challenges. Each technique is personalised for effective progress.

    5. Is Feeding Therapy Suitable for Infants?
      Yes, feeding therapy is beneficial for infants facing difficulties with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or starting solids. Early intervention fosters safe feeding habits and supports overall growth.