Feeding Therapy
Delfa runs a specialist feeding program based on the Responsive Feeding Approach and Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) feeding program to help children learn how to enjoy food and build their tolerance with trying new and different foods through play and sensory exploration in a fun, stress-free environment.
Delfa is highly experienced in delivering this feeding program to help children overcome feeding and eating difficulties.
Would my child benefit from feeding therapy
Feeding therapy may be an appropriate therapy for children who:
- Have had prior negative feeding experience (eg. previous tube feeding, multiple allergies, reflux, pre-mature babies)
- Refuse entire categories of food textures and/or food groups
- Have food aversions / food phobia
- Eat a different meal from the rest of the family
- Have delayed feeding development
- Are underweight or at risk of becoming underweight due to limited food intake
- Find mealtimes distressing
How can feeding therapy help my child?
Delfa offers feeding therapy to support you and your child, by:
- Providing education and knowledge around feeding difficulties and strategies to overcome these daily struggles.
- Advocating for your child by helping you understand the traumatic triggers associated with feeding and the discomfort felt by your child.
- Helping your child develop their oral, sensory, motor, cognitive and emotional milestones to feeding.
- Building you child's confidence and willingness to explore new foods.
- Developing your child’s feeding skills and behaviours around foods.
- Improving your child’s nutrition intake to support their growth and development.
what happens during feeding therapy?
The first session is between Delfa, the parent(s)/carer(s) and child, to learn more about your child's eating habits, your main concerns and to identify feeding related goals for your child.
All subsequent feeding sessions will be planned around your child's goals. Parent involvement is paramount in the success of feeding therapy. Delfa will support parents to make mealtime changes in the home environment. Parents are usually involved in the session so that the Delfa is able to model for you and teach the skills needed to carry through to mealtimes at home.
The sessions are often messy and fun. You child will be guided to use their senses to learn more about the food's properties. This may include the child touching, smelling, tasting and exploring a variety of new foods. The sessions are step-wise and progressive, allowing children to feel comfortable with each new food texture and taste before moving onto the next.
how long does feeding therapy go for?
Depending on your child’s needs and development, the program is typically offered in blocks of 10-12 sessions. Some children progress well in the first block and don’t require further treatment. Other children may require more than one block of treatment. Sessions run for 45-55 minutes and are held weekly/fortnightly.