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Feeding Assessments

Age Range: 1-15 years

Designed for: Occupational Therapy, Specialist Assessments & Diagnostic Services, Speech & Language Therapy, Families

Our Feeding and Swallowing Service provides assessment and therapy to infants and children throughout their feeding development, and provides therapy in managing difficulties with reflux, texture progression, chewing skill development, drooling, overstuffing and pocketing food, oro-motor concerns, coughing and choking during feeding and mealtimes, fussy and picky eaters, challenging mealtime behaviours, and implementing mealtime structures and routines.

Individualised parent and caregiver training is provided in all these areas.

After the assessment, the therapist produces a report outlining the child’s background, observations from the assessment, and recommending strategies for the family to implement around mealtimes and feeding.

Feeding Assessment can look at:

  • Commencement of solids support and advice
  • Texture progression and chewing skill development
  • Fussy and picky eaters using principles of the SOS approach to feeding
  • Managing challenging mealtime behaviours
  • Establishing mealtime structures and routines
  • Drooling, food overstuffing/pocketing concerns
  • Tongue, lip and jaw movement concerns
  • Sensory-Motor Approach to Feeding
  • General difficulties with eating and drinking
  • Coughing and choking during mealtimes

The Assessment Process

Step 1

The clinicians will initially collect and review information form the educational setting as well as any further paperwork.

Step 2

Following this there will be two appointments, a parent/carer interview and an assessment with the child or young person being assessed.

Step 3

The clinicians will provide feedback and where appropriate provide a diagnosis.