Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding in Jacksonville, FL

Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding Therapy in Jacksonville, FL

What are Feeding and Swallowing Disorders?

Feeding disorders in children result in difficulty putting food in the mouth, chewing, and other functions associated with eating. A swallowing disorder results in difficulty with food passing from the mouth to the stomach.

Signs of Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Children

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, your child may have a feeding or swallowing disorder if your child is:

Stiffening or arching their back while feeding
Crying or fussing while feeding
Falling asleep while feeding
Having trouble breathing while eating and drinking
Refusing to eat or drink
Choosing to eat only certain textures, such as crunchy foods or soft foods
Holding food in their mouth, also known as pocketing
Having trouble chewing
Coughing or gagging during meals
Drooling excessively, or having liquid come out of their mouth or nose
Getting stuffy during meals
Having a gurgly, hoarse, or breathy voice during or after meals
Spitting up or throwing up a lot
Not gaining weight or growing

How a Speech Therapist Can Help with Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

Your speech therapist will begin with a thorough evaluation and assessment. This assessment may include a nutritional evaluation to determine whether the feeding or swallowing disorder is contributing to weight loss, failure to thrive, and other issues. Imaging studies may be recommended, including:

An oral pharyngeal motility study or modified barium swallow study, using imaging to view your child’s esophageal function during feeding and swallowing
A flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, using an endoscope to view your child’s throat during swallowing

After testing and diagnosis, your speech therapist may work independently or in combination with other specialists including ENT, gastroenterology, and others, to develop the best program to aid in feeding and swallowing functions.

Want To Know More About Feeding and Swallowing Therapy?

To learn more about feeding and swallowing therapy and how it can help your child, call the speech therapy professionals at More Than a Voice Speech Therapy in Jacksonville, FL. To schedule an appointment with a speech therapist, please click below to schedule an initial consultation.

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Our team of speech-language pathologists specializes in pediatric swallowing and feeding therapy and is trained in assessing, diagnosing, and treating swallowing and feeding disorders in children. We provide individualized therapy plans tailored to each child's unique needs, preferences, and developmental stage.

Whether your child is experiencing difficulties with sucking, chewing, swallowing, or transitioning to solid foods, our team is here to help. We offer a range of therapeutic interventions, including oral motor exercises, sensory-based feeding therapy, and behavioral strategies, to address your child's specific swallowing and feeding challenges.

At More Than A Voice Speech Therapy, we understand the importance of addressing swallowing and feeding difficulties early to promote optimal growth and development. Our Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding Therapy page is designed to provide you with the resources and support you need to help your child eat and drink safely and comfortably.

Located in Jacksonville, Florida, our clinic is dedicated to serving the needs of children and families throughout the area. If you're seeking trusted therapy services for pediatric swallowing and feeding difficulties in Jacksonville, Florida, look no further than More Than A Voice Speech Therapy. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards improving your child's swallowing and feeding skills.