What is feeding therapy?

​It's a type of therapy that helps children (and sometimes adults) who have difficulties eating, drinking, chewing, or swallowing. It is often used for children with medical, developmental, or sensory challenges that affect how they eat. Feeding difficulties are very common and they can significantly impact long-term health, development, and independence. 

Improves Nutrition and Physical Health

• Picky eating or food refusal can lead to nutritional deficiencies, poor growth, or even failure to thrive.

• Feeding therapy helps expand food acceptance and ensures a more balanced diet, which is essential for brain development, energy, and immune function.

Addresses Sensory Integration

• Therapists help children tolerate new textures, temperatures, and smells.

• Over time, this improves mealtime behavior and reduces anxiety around food.

Builds Oral-Motor and Functional Skills

• Many children need help with the mechanics of eating: chewing, sipping, swallowing, using utensils.

• Mastering these skills is key for eating independently.

Enhances Communication Around Mealtimes

• Feeding therapy often overlaps with speech and language goals (e.g., requesting foods, using PECS or AAC).

• This empowers the child to express hunger, preferences, or discomfort.

Promotes Social Engagement and Routine

• Mealtime is often a social activity. Being able to eat with others supports social participation and inclusion in daily family and school routines.

Why Feeding Issues Happen in Autism

• Sensory sensitivities (e.g., to texture, smell, or color of food)

• Restricted and repetitive behaviors (leading to limited food variety)

• Motor skill challenges (e.g., chewing, swallowing, or utensil use)

• Medical issues (e.g., GI problems or reflux)

• Communication barriers (difficulty expressing hunger or preferences)

Long-Term Benefits for Independence

• Ensures balanced nutrition, energy, and supports physical growth

• Builds independence in self-feeding, utensil use, and food prep

• Reduces feeding disruptions in school lunch settings

• Encourages participation in family meals, parties, community life

• Less reliance on parents for special meal prep or feeding routines