Feeding Therapy Autism Near Me
Feeding therapy autism near me is a treatment option for children with feeding issues. The Pediatric Feed Therapy Team at The Pediatric Feed Institute of South Florida strives to make mealtimes more enjoyable and fulfilling for kids who experience various eating difficulties.
A child with a feeding disorder may exhibit delays in eating, prefer certain types of food over others, or avoid certain dishes altogether. These behaviors can lead to obesity and choking risks for the individual.
ABA-based feeding intervention is an effective treatment for many children with feeding disorders, particularly those with autism. It helps them conquer their aversion to new foods, expand their dietary choices and learn how to enjoy different dishes.
Oral motor skills and mealtime treatment is particularly helpful for children who are nonverbal, verbal with limited language abilities, or diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this type of therapy, a speech-language pathologist or trained occupational therapist helps the child develop and master the necessary skills to chew and swallow safely.
Sensory processing issues can keep a child with ASD fixated on certain textures, flavors, or colors of food. They may prefer only one shade, lots of hues, bland foods without spices, or very spicy dishes.
Children with autism tend to prefer smooth foods because they’re easy to chew and swallow, but health care professionals can gradually introduce different textures into their meals over time.