Pediatric Feeding Therapy
in Winder, GA
Give Your Child Support for Mealtimes
At Let’s Communicate, we know that mealtimes can be stressful when your child struggles with feeding. Whether your child has difficulty trying new foods, handling solids, or safely swallowing, pediatric feeding therapy can help!
Our experienced team can make mealtimes a more positive experience for your whole family. Keep reading to learn more, and reach out to us today to get started with an evaluation.
What Is Pediatric Feeding Therapy?
Pediatric feeding therapy is a specialized type of healthcare designed to help children overcome chewing and swallowing difficulties. Our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are specially trained to help children who struggle with these areas of feeding. Additionally, our occupational therapists (OTs) can help if your child’s feeding challenges are related to sensory processing difficulties.
We can figure out why your child struggles with feeding and help them overcome their challenges with evidence-based care. Through a combination of exercises, fun activities, and proven treatments, we help children build the skills they need for enjoyable mealtimes.
Signs That Your Child Might Need Feeding Therapy
Here are some signs that your child may benefit from feeding therapy:
- Refusal to eat certain textures or types of food
- Gagging, choking, or coughing during meals
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing food
- Limited variety in their diet
- Weight loss or difficulty gaining weight
- Slow eating or refusing food
- Stress or tantrums during meals
What You Can Expect at Your First Feeding Therapy Appointment
At Let’s Communicate, we believe that the first step to effective therapy is building a connection with you and your child. During your first feeding therapy appointment, our experienced team will do a thorough evaluation to assess your child’s skills, challenges, and overall development.
This evaluation will help us create an individualized treatment plan for your child’s specific needs and goals. We’ll cover our findings with you in detail and answer any questions you have about the advised treatment plan for your child.
What Can Your Child Learn in Feeding Therapy?
Feeding therapy offers many benefits that can significantly improve your child’s eating habits and overall health. Here’s what your child can gain from our feeding therapy program:
- Increased variety of accepted foods
- Stronger chewing and swallowing skills
- Better management of sensory sensitivities
- Reduced stress around mealtimes
- Healthier weight gain and nutrition
- More enjoyable family mealtimes
Our Approach to Pediatric Feeding Therapy
Our therapy sessions are designed to be fun and engaging by tapping into the natural ways children learn and interact with the world—through play!
This method is backed by extensive research and has proven to be extremely advantageous. Our therapists skillfully blend evidence-based techniques with playful activities. This approach not only makes therapy more enjoyable for children but also leads to better treatment outcomes!
What Our Families Are Saying
Why Choose Let's Communicate?
At Let’s Communicate, we provide specialized care for every child we serve. Our expert SLPs and OTs take the time to build strong relationships with both children and their families, and we are always happy to communicate with you about your child’s progress.
Our unique approach ensures that every family receives the highest level of support, and we have the results to prove it. We genuinely care about your child’s success, and we are passionate about helping them achieve it!
Why Choose Let's Communicate?
At Let’s Communicate, we provide specialized care for every child we serve. Our expert SLPs and OTs take the time to build strong relationships with both children and their families, and we are always happy to communicate with you about your child’s progress.
Our unique approach ensures that every family receives the highest level of support, and we have the results to prove it. We genuinely care about your child’s success, and we are passionate about helping them achieve it!
frequently asked questions
What is pediatric feeding therapy, and who can benefit from it?
Pediatric feeding therapy develops the skills needed for relaxed, safe, and nutritional eating. It supports children who struggle with chewing, swallowing, food textures, or sensory sensitivities. Therapy benefits children with medical conditions, developmental delays, or extreme picky eating. At Let’s Communicate, we help determine why your child struggles with feeding and use evidence-based care and a play-based approach to address their challenges. Our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with children with feeding difficulties, while our occupational therapists (OTs) focus on sensory-related feeding challenges. With the right guidance, mealtimes can become easier and more positive for the whole family.
What are the most common feeding challenges addressed in therapy?
Feeding therapy at Let’s Communicate helps children overcome a range of challenges, from difficulty chewing and swallowing to extreme picky eating, mealtime tantrums, and food refusal. Many children struggle with food textures, sensory sensitivities, or issues with the muscles in the mouth, lips, tongue, jaw, and cheeks—all of which can make eating frustrating. Therapy also supports children with medical conditions that affect their ability to eat safely and helps those transitioning from tube feeding or bottle reliance to solids. Using gentle, play-based techniques, therapists build positive food associations, and parents learn strategies to make mealtimes less stressful.
How can early intervention in feeding therapy prevent long-term eating issues?
Early intervention helps children develop strong feeding skills before challenges become ingrained habits. At Let’s Communicate, therapists focus on improving chewing, swallowing, and food acceptance in a fun, stress-free way. Addressing difficulties early reduces frustration, prevents food aversions, and supports physical growth. The earlier a child receives support, the easier it is to build confidence around eating. This foundation promotes healthy weight gain and nutrition, helping children reach developmental milestones. Our therapists work closely with families to establish lifelong healthy eating habits, making mealtimes more pleasant for everyone.
Do I need a referral for my child to start feeding therapy?
A referral depends on your insurance provider and specific plan. Some require a doctor’s recommendation, while others allow parents to seek therapy directly. At Let’s Communicate, we’re happy to help navigate the process, whether that means coordinating with your pediatrician or checking coverage details. If you’re unsure whether your child needs feeding therapy, an initial consultation can provide clarity. Our team is here to answer questions and guide you through the next steps. Ensuring your child gets the right support as soon as possible is always our priority.
What should my child wear or bring to a feeding therapy session?
Comfort is the best dress code for feeding therapy. Let’s Communicate recommends dressing your child in easy-to-clean, casual clothing in case of food spills. A bib or an extra shirt may be helpful for messier sessions. If your child uses special feeding tools, such as a specific cup or utensils, bring them along to encourage familiarity. Parents may also be asked to provide a list of preferred and non-preferred foods so our therapists can work on expanding food acceptance. Sessions are engaging and low-pressure, and a little preparation helps create a relaxed and enjoyable experience for both child and parent.
How does feeding therapy help children with sensory aversions to certain foods?
Many children struggle with food textures, temperatures, or flavors that feel overwhelming. At Let’s Communicate, feeding therapy gently introduces new foods through play-based techniques that reduce stress. Therapists use gradual exposure, desensitization, and positive reinforcement to help children explore food at their own pace. Sensory-friendly strategies, such as touching, smelling, and interacting with food before eating, build confidence. Therapy also teaches self-regulation skills so children feel more comfortable trying new foods. With patience and support, children can develop a more varied diet and enjoy mealtimes without anxiety or resistance.
Can feeding therapy improve oral motor skills and swallowing?
Oral motor skills—such as movement of the mouth, lips, tongue, jaw, and cheeks—play a key role in safe and efficient eating. At Let’s Communicate, feeding therapy strengthens these muscles to improve chewing, swallowing, and speech. Therapists use specialized exercises, sensory techniques, and fun activities to enhance tongue movement, jaw strength, and coordination. If a child struggles with managing food in their mouth, therapy builds control and confidence. Swallowing challenges are addressed with targeted interventions to promote safety and ease during mealtimes. With the right support, children can develop stronger feeding skills and reduce the risk of choking, gagging, or food refusal.
Is pediatric feeding therapy covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for feeding therapy varies by provider and plan. Let’s Communicate accepts a range of insurance options and works with families to determine benefits. Some plans cover therapy for medical conditions or developmental delays, while others may have limits or require prior authorization. Our team assists with verifying coverage and answering questions. We believe every child deserves access to the care they need and are committed to helping families understand their coverage. For a list of accepted insurances and more details on getting started, please visit the Getting Started section on our website.
How do therapists encourage children to try new foods during feeding therapy?
Therapists at Let’s Communicate use a gentle, play-based approach to make trying new foods fun and stress-free. Instead of pressure, children are encouraged to explore food at their own pace through touching, smelling, and interacting with it before taking a bite. We help your child improve by demonstrating new skills and celebrating accomplishments to keep them motivated. Gradually introducing new challenges also boosts their confidence. Games, food art, and interactive activities make mealtime more engaging. Parents are included in the process, learning ways to reinforce progress at home. Over time, these strategies help children expand their diet, reduce anxiety around food, and develop a more adventurous approach to eating.
What strategies can parents use at home to reinforce feeding therapy goals?
Consistency at home is key to maintaining progress. Let’s Communicate recommends making mealtimes relaxed and positive, avoiding pressure or force. Offer new foods alongside familiar favorites and allow children to explore at their own pace. Encourage messy play with food to build sensory tolerance. Use small portions and repeated exposure to normalize new tastes and textures. Model healthy eating behaviors by enjoying a variety of foods yourself. Most importantly, celebrate small victories—every step forward matters. If challenges arise, our therapists provide guidance and adjust strategies to fit your child’s needs. Every child’s journey with food is unique, and therapy is tailored to their specific needs.
Reach Out Today to Get Started
Let’s work together to help your child gain the feeding skills they need for a healthy body and happy mealtimes. Call Let’s Communicate Pediatric Therapy Services today at (678) 963-0694 to schedule an evaluation, and our team will help you get started!
