Feeding FAQ’s

Q: How do I know if my child needs a feeding evaluation?

A: You probably found this site because your child is struggling with one or many aspects of mealtime. Here are some things to ask yourself when you are thinking about your child’s feeding:

• Does your child refuse certain food textures?

• Is your child having difficulty transitioning to solid foods?

• Is your child gagging or vomiting at mealtime?

• Does your child refuse to try any new foods?

• Does your child have a hard time getting messy?

• Is your child having difficulty with self-feeding skills (finger feeding, utensils, cup)?

• Has your child lost weight?

Q: Does my child need a feeding consultation or a feeding evaluation?

A: During the initial intake call, we will discuss your concerns together and determine what is most appropriate for your child. If you need specific help in one skill area or hope to change a new mealtime behavior, a feeding consultation may be appropriate. If your concerns are more significant and you answered YES to several of the questions above, a feeding evaluation may be best to get a clear picture of your child’s strengths and areas of need.

Q: What should I expect during a feeding evaluation?

A: Depending on your specific concerns and your child’s unique needs, the feeding evaluation may include the following: parent interview, observation of your child eating in the natural home environment, structural assessment, oral motor assessment, and observation of posture, fine motor skills and sensory integrative functions that relate to feeding.

Q: What if my child refuses to eat during the evaluation?

A: This sometimes happens, in which case a video analysis of your child eating in the home can also provide great information. Observations about oral motor skills, sensory processing, and mealtime behaviors at the table during the evaluation can still provide important information about your child’s skills and areas of need.