At Long Island Stuttering & Speech Pathology, we identify and treat the root causes of feeding and swallowing disorders in infants, children, teens, and adults.
Signs & Symptoms
Feeding and swallowing disorders can cause delays in oral motor development, poor nutritional intake, and/or sensory feeding issues. Here are a few signs and symptoms to look out for:
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Gurgly/wet voice before or after swallowing
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Choking, gagging, coughing, or pauses in breathing when eating
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Tongue, lip, and oral motor muscle weakness and/or function
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Prolonged drooling and/or poor lip closure
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Stuffing and pocketing of food inside the mouth
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Mealtimes that typically last longer than 30-40 minutes at a time
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Picky eating
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Strong food aversions, avoidances, and refusals
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Behavior problems during meals
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Sleepiness during feedings
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Poor weight gain
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Messy Eating
If any of these apply, an evaluation is recommended.
Feeding & Swallowing Evaluations
We will begin by gathering information to determine an accurate diagnosis and form a meaningful treatment plan. At Long Island Stuttering & Speech Pathology, our feeding and swallowing evaluations include the following:
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Case history (including associated medical diagnoses, sensory issues, history of recurrent pneumonia, presence of reflux, tube feeding, etc.)
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Oral motor examination
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7-day meal history
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Observation of feeding, chewing, and swallowing patterns using a variety of textures, consistencies, colors, and smells
Once the evaluation is complete, we will provide you with a written report of our findings and recommendations. If needed, we will provide a referral to other medical professionals including physicians, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, developmental pediatricians, and nutritionists.
Sensory Feeding
Therapy
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Exploring and interacting with foods in a playful setting
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Interacting with foods that have different temperatures & textures
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Increasing the variety of foods that your child will eat
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More positive mealtime experiences for the whole family
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Parent education and support for using feeding strategies at home
Oral Motor & Swallowing Therapy
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Improving muscle function for sucking, biting, chewing, swallowing, & managing saliva
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Using oral motor tools, foods, & exercises to develop new feeding skills in a fun & non-invasive way
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Improved oral motor skills for feeding & swallowing
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Home programming for continued progress between sessions