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Feeding Therapy at REACH Pediatrics

What Is Pediatric Feeding Therapy?

Pediatric feeding therapy is a specialized form of occupational therapy designed to help children develop safe, efficient, and enjoyable eating and drinking skills. Feeding challenges can include difficulty with chewing, swallowing, self-feeding, oral motor control, or sensory-based aversions to food textures and tastes.

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At REACH Pediatrics Therapy Services, our occupational therapists provide individualized feeding therapy that focuses on oral motor development, sensory regulation, and strategies to increase tolerance and independence during meals. Therapy is child-centered, playful, and aligned with each child’s unique needs.

Note: Feeding therapy services are available at both our Decatur and Muscle Shoals, Alabama locations.

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Who Can Benefit from Feeding Therapy?

Children may benefit from feeding therapy if they experience:

  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing certain textures

  • Limited variety of foods or strong food preferences

  • Gagging or choking during meals

  • Delayed self-feeding or independence at mealtimes

  • Oral motor challenges affecting eating skills

  • Sensory sensitivities related to food

Feeding therapy can support children with a wide range of needs, including:

  • Sensory processing differences affecting mealtime participation

  • Developmental delays impacting oral motor function

  • Neurological or medical conditions affecting safe feeding

  • Challenges with emotional regulation during meals

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How Feeding Therapy Works at REACH

At REACH Pediatrics Therapy Services, feeding therapy is designed to be safe, effective, and supportive of both children and families. Our occupational therapists work closely with each child to create a plan that addresses oral motor, sensory, and self-feeding skills.

Therapy may include:

  • Oral motor exercises to strengthen muscles used for chewing and swallowing

  • Sensory-based feeding activities to increase tolerance for different textures and flavors

  • Practice with self-feeding skills, utensils, and adaptive strategies

  • Strategies to improve mealtime participation, independence, and confidence

  • Parent education and carryover strategies for successful home routines

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Sessions are playful and engaging, helping children build confidence and enjoyment around mealtime while making meaningful progress toward therapy goals.

 

Why Choose REACH for Feeding Therapy?

Our mission at REACH Pediatrics Therapy Services is to provide the highest quality care through compassionate, family-centered, and innovative therapy approaches. With our occupational therapists specializing in feeding and oral motor interventions, families can expect:

  • Expert, individualized care tailored to each child’s needs

  • Family-centered collaboration, with practical guidance and strategies for home practice

  • Play-based, engaging sessions that encourage participation and confidence

  • Integration of sensory and motor approaches to support functional progress

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Our team ensures that each child feels supported, challenged appropriately, and empowered to make progress at their own pace.

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Feeding Therapy & Oral Motor Support (Speech Therapy)

Our speech-language pathologists (Speech Therapy - ST) also support children with oral motor and feeding-related needs that impact eating, drinking, and speech development. Speech therapy focuses on the coordination, strength, and control of the muscles used for chewing, swallowing, and speaking, helping children develop safer and more efficient oral motor patterns.

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At REACH Pediatrics Therapy Services, ST-led feeding support may be recommended when oral motor challenges affect speech clarity, swallowing, or mealtime participation. Our therapists collaborate closely with occupational therapy when appropriate to provide comprehensive, child-centered care that supports both communication and feeding success.

Locations Offering Feeding Therapy

Feeding therapy is available at both our Decatur and Muscle Shoals, Alabama locations. Speech Therapy Led Feeding Therapy is currently only at our Decatur, AL location. Families across North Alabama can access this specialized therapy in a welcoming, child-focused environment.

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Is Feeding Therapy Right for My Child?

Every child’s feeding needs are unique. Our occupational therapists perform comprehensive evaluations to determine whether feeding therapy is appropriate and to create a personalized plan of care.

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If your child experiences challenges with eating, drinking, or oral motor skills, we’re here to guide you and your family toward safe, enjoyable, and successful mealtime experiences.

Schedule a Feeding Therapy Evaluation

At REACH Pediatrics Therapy Services, we believe that every child deserves a positive, supportive therapy experience. Contact us today to schedule a feeding therapy evaluation at our Decatur or Muscle Shoals location and discover how our occupational therapists can help your child thrive at mealtime.

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