Helping Picky Eaters and Those With Feeding Difficulties
At Allied Therapy, we support children, adults, and seniors who experience challenges with eating, drinking, chewing, or swallowing. Some people are selective eaters, struggle with textures, or have medical, sensory, neurological, or developmental differences that affect mealtimes. Our team provides feeding and swallowing assessments across Nova Scotia through in-home, in-clinic, and virtual services. We work to make eating safer, less stressful, and more successful for individuals and their families.
Who We Help
Our paediatric feeding assessment and therapy supports:
Children who are very selective or avoid entire food groups
Babies who struggle with bottle or breast feeding
Toddlers who gag, cough, or spit out foods
Kids with trouble chewing or swallowing
Families who are frustrated, worried, or tired of mealtime battles
Who We Help
Our adult feeding assessment and therapy supports:
Adults and seniors who avoid certain foods, textures, or entire food groups
Individuals who cough, choke, gag, or feel food is “sticking” when eating or drinking
People experiencing changes in swallowing, chewing, appetite, or mealtime enjoyment
Adults managing feeding or swallowing difficulties related to aging, illness, neurological conditions, or dementia
Individuals and caregivers who feel worried, overwhelmed, or exhausted by ongoing mealtime challenges
Our Approach to Feeding Therapy
Assessment
Some children, adults, and seniors need extra support with feeding and swallowing skills. The goal of this assessment is to better understand current feeding abilities, identify challenges, and provide practical recommendations to support safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable eating experiences.
A feeding and swallowing assessment may include:
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A detailed case history to learn more about feeding concerns, medical history, overall development or health, current eating habits, and goals for therapy
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A functional oral-mechanism examination completed by a Speech-Language Pathologist to assess oral structures and skills related to chewing, swallowing, speech, and feeding
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A feeding and swallowing observation completed in-person or virtually to evaluate eating and drinking skills across a variety of foods and textures. Clients or caregivers may be asked to bring familiar foods, drinks, bottles, utensils, or feeding equipment used at home
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Observation of factors such as positioning, pacing, bite size, texture tolerance, chewing efficiency, swallowing safety, sensory responses, and mealtime routines to determine strategies that may improve feeding success and comfort
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A review of results and next steps provided including individualized recommendations, home strategies, and therapy supports tailored to the client’s needs and goals
Collaborative Support
Our feeding therapy often includes collaboration between Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Behaviour Therapists because feeding involves more than just eating. Sensory processing, motor skills, swallowing safety, routines, communication, behaviour, cognition, and the mealtime environment can all play an important role in feeding success.
Common Goals and Outcomes
Increased comfort and confidence with eating and drinking
Improved chewing, swallowing, and mealtime safety
Expanded variety of foods and textures accepted
More peaceful and enjoyable mealtimes
Reduced coughing, gagging, choking, or mealtime stress
Concerned About Feeding or Swallowing Challenges? We Can Help.
Whether the concerns involve a child, adult, or older adult, our team works to make eating and drinking safer, easier, and more enjoyable through personalized, compassionate support.
902-580-1060
Monday to Friday 8:00-4:00
Serving Halifax and all of Nova Scotia in-person or virtually