What is Feeding Services
The Feeding team is made up of both an Occupational Therapist and a Speech Language Pathologist who work together to support children and their families who are having difficulty with eating and mealtime. The team:
- Provides Assessment of children and youth with difficulties with chewing solids, gagging, choking, and swallowing challenges associated with either eating or drinking.
- Provides Assessment of physical and sensory components contributing to difficulty managing a variety of food tastes and textures leading to a significantly restricted diet
- Uses a coaching model to support families, licensed child care staff, school staff, and other caregivers who regularly interact with the child/ youth.
Who are we?
We are a team made up of
Occupational Therapists: Master’s Degree – Must be registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and Speech Language
Pathologists: Masters Degree – Must be registered with the Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario.
Who we serve?
- Children living within Sarnia Lambton.
- Newborn to 19 years
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What to Expect
Together, the Occupational Therapist and Speech-Language Pathologist will
- Take time with you to discuss and understand the history of the feeding challenge your child/ youth is experiencing. This will likely be by phone or video call.
- Typically, a home visit will be arranged so that the therapists can see your child/ youth where they are most comfortable eating/drinking. The home visit may be completed in-person or virtually.
- Day care or school visits may also be arranged to assess and provide coaching in that setting.
- Therapists will provide coaching to parents and any caregivers involved in your child/ youth’s daily life upon parent’s request. Equipment suggestions and strategies will be modeled as needed.
- Follow up coaching and support will be provided as needed through phone, email or in person.
- Discharge from this consultative service will be discussed as parents and caregivers feel more confident in their skills in supporting their child/ youth’s progress and/or their child/ youth is functioning well enough to support their growth and nutrition and is managing well during family meal time
What we provide
- Coaching support of parents and caregivers upon parents request ie. day care staff, school etc
- Liaison with and consultation support to physicians and specialists involved in the care of the child upon parent’s request
- Group programming for children/ youth and their families may be considered if numbers and interest align
Assessment:
Intervention:
Intervention strategies may relate to the development of:
- Coaching support of parents and caregivers upon parents request ie. day care staff, school etc
- Liaison with and consultation support to physicians and specialists involved in the care of the child upon parent’s request
- Group programming for children/ youth and their families may be considered if numbers and interest align
How To Refer:
PHONE PATHWAYS
