Feeding Eval/Therapy

What exactky di they do? We are having the eval based on Noahs lack of eating just getting worse and also b/c he still has some choking issues often and very low oral motor strength.

We dont think he will get approved for the therapy but the eval will happen. Anyone know what they do? We are also getting a nutritionist coming a few times to maybe help.

Re: Feeding Eval/Therapy

DS was younger when they did the eval but they basically looked at him eating. What he was eating and HOW. They touched his cheeks with vibrating instruments. They also relied a lot on my input. Q&A type.

Re: Feeding Eval/Therapy

They looked at his eating as part of the speech eval. Basically, I was told to have something soft, like oatmeal, that he would eat from a spoon, and something chewier, so I gave him toast, I think. She looked at how he chewed, how he was using his tongue and whether or not he was trying to get the food off his lips and mouth after he ate the oatmeal.

We did qualify for speech/feeding, but I think it was partially because DS already qualified for PT, so he didn't have to score as low on the speech eval (and if he didn't qualify for PT, I don't think we would have received the speech/feeding).

Re: Feeding Eval/Therapy

our speech eval included feeding just as a formality (but via Q&A with me they suspected it wasn't an issue). They observed him eating grapes, saw that he was fine with it, no movements with lips or tongue out of the ordinary and then moved on.

But again, it could be because the eval wasn't meant to probe on feeding issues that could be why that part was rushed.

Re: Feeding Eval/Therapy

ds initially got speech & feeding therapy through EI b/c he was still eating only jarred foods @ 14 months and having issues with that and he wasn't babbling/talking.


for the eval. i believe they are supposed to watch him eat different foods (soft, hard, mushy, etc.) and just ask you questions.

ds is now way above his age with language/communictaion BUT still gets feeding 3x a week. i think if it is possibly impacting noah's health then you need to push that angle if the y don't want to approve you. b/c of sensory issues josh vomits frequently (at best 1-2 times a week/ at worst 4 times a DAY), he has low oral muscle tone, can't move his tongue around and didn't/doesn't know how to chew, meals take 1 hour b/c he is soooo slow, and know we have behavioral issues with meal time. b/c of this he drinks 2 8oz cans of pediasure for nutrition (he does eat 3 meals but this helps him get more caleries and nutrients.)

our 1 progress w/ feeding is that he now can eat most things and has a huge amount of food he will eat/try.

the speech therapist works in his mouth to desensitize him, to strengthen his muscles, tongue and jaw and to teach him how to chew. she uses all the oral motor toys that i bought (some vibrate, some are chew toys, etc.). you can get them online.

if you have any specific questions feel free to fm me.

Message edited 7/22/2009 10:18:06 PM.