Feeding Therapy - Picky Eaters
I follow a developmental, child-centered philosophy for feeding therapy using several evidenced-based assessments and treatment strategies. My sessions are no stress, fun, and sensory-based (messy!).
All feeding therapy sessions include parent education and involvement to promote the carryover of the principles to home and community.
Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS)
The SOS Feeding therapy method targets understanding why kids won’t eat, what physical, behavioral, motor and oral-motor and sensory factors affect feeding and the use of behavioral and social learning principles and systematic desensitization to target specific feeding problems. I have completed the foundation course and several advanced topic courses: Food Scientist Adaptation to Feeding, Feeding the 6-16 Month-Old Child, Feeding the Child on the Autism Spectrum. I have lead group programs and conducted individual therapy sessions for children from preschool age up to preteens who present with feeding difficulties to help them learn why they need to eat, decrease their resistance to foods and reduce the stress of family mealtimes.
Catherine Shaker Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding Essentials
The Catherine Shaker Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding Essentials seminars cover problem solving for assessment and treatment strategies for swallowing/oral-motor/feeding difficulties for infants through school age children.
Feeding Consultations
I offer feeding consultations to parents who may be concerned about their child’s developmental progress in feeding, unusual eating patterns, refusal of foods and resistance to try new foods. Working together we can determine if therapy is needed or whether the difficulties can be addressed with a supported home program.
“(Janet) worked with her on many different sounds, and letter substitutions that she’s developed over the years, and is now saying many words correctly. Having the opportunity to sit in during Emily Grace’s sessions, we have the tools to help her and help encourage her as she continues to practice and improve her articulation. We are so thankful for Janet and the opportunity to work with her in providing Emily Grace the help she needed to improve her articulation so that she can be understood, and can have many more meaningful conversations.”