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Swallowing, Feeding & Oral-Motor

Signs and symptoms that indicate your child is having difficulty with feeding include:

  • Gagging easily with increased texture of food.
  • Limited volume of intake.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux impacting oral feedings.
  • Coughing and/or choking.
  • Not chewing foods and/or swallowing food whole.
  • Pocketing of food.
  • Excessive time needed to complete mealtimes.
  • Main form of nutrition obtained via tube feedings.
  • Limited variety of foods accepted.
  • Difficulty coordinating suck-swallow-breathe activities during bottle feedings.
  • Loss of liquid or food outside of mouth during swallowing.

What We Can Do

  • Implement oral-motor exercise program to increase strength, coordination and range of motion of lips, cheeks, tongue and jaw for chewing and swallowing.
  • Transition from tube feedings to oral feedings.
  • Transition from bottle to cup.
  • Transition from baby food to solids.
  • Establish a feeding program to meet your child’s nutritional needs.
  • Collaborate with other professionals (e.g., dietician, physician, school staff) regarding feeding program recommendations.

 

Golden Valley 763-520-0312
Stillwater 651-439-8283
Client.Services@CourageCenter.org

Our Locations

Burnsville:  952-898-5700
BurnsvillePeds@CourageCenter.org

Forest Lake: 651-464-5235
ForestLakePeds@CourageCenter.org

Golden Valley: 763-588-0811 or 1-888-846-8253
pedscarenavigator@couragecenter.org

Stillwater: 651-439-8283
StCroixPeds@CourageCenter.org

See our Locations page for maps and directions.