Pediatric Feeding Therapy for Swallowing Disorders
in San Diego, CA
Compassionate Support for Children with Swallowing Difficulties
Eating and drinking are skills that naturally start to develop as soon as your baby is born. But some children struggle to master the coordination needed for swallowing, which can make feeding difficult, stressful, or even unsafe. The good news is that our pediatric feeding therapists at SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy are here to help. Keep reading to learn how feeding therapy can support your child’s safety, health, and confidence at mealtimes.
What Are Swallowing Disorders?
A swallowing disorder, also called dysphagia, is when a child has difficulty moving food or liquid from their mouth down their throat and into their stomach. This can make eating and drinking uncomfortable. In some cases, it can even put your child at risk of choking or inhaling food into the lungs.
Swallowing disorders can range from mild to severe. Some children may only struggle with certain textures of food, while others may have difficulty swallowing most foods or liquids. Early evaluation and treatment are key to helping your child eat safely and comfortably.
Common Symptoms of Swallowing Disorders
Some of the common symptoms or challenges that children with swallowing disorders can experience include:
- Coughing, gagging, or choking while eating or drinking
- Frequent respiratory infections or pneumonia from inhaled food or liquid
- Difficulty chewing or moving food around in the mouth
- Drooling or inability to manage saliva
- Arching the back or turning away during feeding
- Refusing foods or being upset at mealtimes
- Taking a very long time to eat or drink
- Weight loss or poor weight gain
What Causes Swallowing Disorders?
Swallowing difficulties can have many different causes. They may be linked to developmental delays, prematurity, neurological conditions, structural differences in the mouth or throat, or medical conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Some children with swallowing disorders also have related diagnoses like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or sensory processing disorder (SPD), which can make eating more challenging. No matter the cause, our therapists take the time to evaluate your child’s specific needs and create a personalized treatment plan.
How Pediatric Feeding Therapy Can Help Swallowing Disorders
At Small Talk Pediatric Therapy, our feeding specialists use evidence-based and fun methods to help children build the skills they need for safe and successful swallowing. Depending on your child’s specific needs, their treatment may include:
- Strengthening the muscles used for chewing and swallowing
- Practicing safe swallowing strategies in a supportive environment
- Teaching your child how to coordinate breathing and swallowing
- Increasing skills to manage a variety of food textures
We also work closely with parents to provide you with practical strategies to use at home. Our goal is to help support your child’s feeding skills so they can enjoy mealtimes and get the nutrients their growing bodies need.
Why Choose SmallTalk?
At SmallTalk, we help children throughout San Diego achieve their greatest potential. We believe mealtimes should feel safe and fun. Our therapists take time to truly connect with each child and create a space where they feel comfortable exploring new foods and building new skills at their own pace.
We use playful, research-backed methods to make therapy approachable and effective. From picky eaters to children with complex medical or sensory needs, we create a personalized plan that builds their skills and confidence one bite at a time.
Schedule Your Child’s Evaluation Today
If your child struggles with swallowing, feeding therapy is the solution you’ve been looking for. Our experts at SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy are here to help your child eat safely and enjoy food again.
Call us at (619) 647-6157 today to schedule an evaluation for pediatric feeding therapy, and let’s work together to support your child’s wellbeing.