Feeding and Swallowing Therapy

When eating does not come easily, Le Bonheur offers several feeding therapy programs to help children become comfortable with eating. Our Feeding and Swallowing specialists can diagnose a variety of feeding and swallowing disorders in children. The comprehensive program was the first of its kind in the Mid-South and offers a variety of evaluation and treatment methods. Our staff of occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, pediatric nutritionists and developmental pediatricians works to determine any barriers to eating and develop treatment strategies customized for each child’s individual needs. We provide evaluations and therapy services for children of all ages with a wide variety of feeding concerns.

Le Bonheur’s Feeding and Swallowing services include both diagnostic services and therapy.

For more information about the feeding program, please see our brochure.

Feeding and Swallowing Diagnostic services include:

• Individual Feeding Evaluation
  Individual evaluations are recommended for children who eat a limited variety of foods, gag often on food, or have difficulty gaining weight. Based upon this evaluation, your child’s feeding strengths and family concerns are identified.  
  
  For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Le Bonheur Children’s at 901.287.5860.
• Modified Barium Swallow Study
  This Modified Barium Swallow Study helps to determine how well your child is swallowing and what can be done to make swallowing easier for your child. This study is recommended for children who cough, gag or sound congested during or after feedings, have multiple respiratory infections or appear “uncoordinated” when they suck from a bottle or eat. This study takes place in Le Bonheur’s Radiology department and is performed by our speech-language pathologist and radiologist.  
  
  During the study, your child will sit in a chair and be given small amounts of liquid barium to drink or eat. The barium can be seen on the X-ray as your child swallows. This procedure is performed either downtown at Le Bonheur Children’s or at Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital in Germantown.  
  
  To schedule an appointment, call Le Bonheur Centralized Scheduling at 901.287.6073 or Le Bonheur Rehab Services at Germantown at 901.516.6925.

Feeding and Swallowing Therapy services include:

• Individual Feeding Therapy
  Feeding therapy helps children learn how to better use the muscles in their face and mouth and/or explore new foods in order to make eating a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. Families are a very important part of therapy, as they learn new skills and how to apply them in the home setting. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Le Bonheur Children’s at (901) 287-5860.
• Training Meals Program
  “Training Meals” is for children age 18 months and older who eat a limited variety of foods, are picky eaters and/or may be transitioning from g-tube to eating by mouth. These therapeutic meals are based on the Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S.) family centered approach to feeding. Training Meals is led by Le Bonheur speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists who are trained to help children learn how to accept a greater variety of foods. The group atmosphere provides a “no pressure” environment for children to explore foods and watch their peers explore food. Families play an important role in carrying over therapy at home to make feeding easier for their child. For more information, please call Le Bonheur Children’s at (901) 287-5860.