Feeding Therapy in New Jersey

Feeding therapy addresses eating and drinking: chewing and swallowing safety, very limited diets, mealtime distress and skills needed to eat. It is usually provided by a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist with feeding training, and it typically starts with a medical visit and an evaluation.

• Coughing, gagging or choking during meals
• A very small number of accepted foods, or strong reactions to textures and smells
• Difficulty moving from bottle or purees to table foods
• Long, stressful mealtimes, or mealtimes that end in distress for everyone
• Concerns about growth or weight raised by your child's doctor

An evaluation usually looks at your child's medical history, how they handle different textures, positioning, and what mealtimes look like at home. Some children are also referred for a swallow study or to a specialist such as a gastroenterologist before therapy begins.

Sessions often involve very small, gradual steps, and parents are usually part of the plan because mealtimes happen at home. Progress is commonly measured in comfort and skills, not only in the number of new foods.

1. 1Keep a short mealtime log

   For a week, write what was offered, what was accepted, and what happened. Note coughing, gagging or pain.

2. 2Raise it at a medical visit

   Share the log. Ask whether a feeding evaluation, swallow study or specialist referral is appropriate.

3. 3Ask what your coverage requires

   Ask your plan whether a prescription, referral or prior authorization is needed, and which providers are in network.

4. 4Find providers with feeding experience

   Ask clinics directly whether their therapists treat pediatric feeding, and what approach they use.

5. 5Plan for home carryover

   Ask what the therapist wants you to do between sessions and how to keep mealtimes calm while you work on skills.

• What did the evaluation show, in everyday language?
• Is there a medical concern that should be checked before therapy?
• What approach do you use, and what does a session look like?
• How will we measure progress?
• What should we do at home, and what should we avoid?
• Who else should be involved, such as a dietitian or a specialist?

• Picky eating and a feeding disorder are not the same thing; only an evaluation can sort that out.
• Do not use pressure, bribes or force at mealtimes because a website suggested it; ask your child's team what is appropriate.
• Feeding therapy is not a weight-gain plan; nutrition concerns belong with medical professionals.
• Availability of feeding-trained therapists varies widely by area.

• Start a one-week mealtime log, then bring it to your child's doctor and ask about a feeding evaluation.

• How to Find Speech Therapy in New Jersey
• How to Find Occupational Therapy in New Jersey
• Find providersNew Jersey agencies and family resources.

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association General professional information about pediatric feeding and swallowing.
• American Occupational Therapy Association General professional information about occupational therapy roles in feeding.
• New Jersey Early Intervention System (Department of Health) Services for infants and toddlers, including feeding-related concerns.