Feeding & Swallowing Evaluation & Treatment

Services

A difficulty with feeding and/or swallowing can have long lasting effects on a child and family. If your child is struggling with picky eating, chewing/swallowing skills, weight gain concerns, or other feeding issues, we want you to know that there is help available. At Concierge Speech Services of Atlanta, we provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for both adults and children with a range of feeding or swallowing disorders. Our goal is to provide personalized care from a team of experts who are dedicated to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based interventions.

Common Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

Feeding and swallowing disorders are relatively common in children and adults. Unfortunately, the symptoms can be difficult to recognize. The most common include:

Picky Eating - A child may experience aversions and refuse to eat certain types of food.
ARFID - Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is characterized by picky eating, food selectivity, and a fear of new foods.
Sensory-Based Feeding Aversions - This disorder can lead a child to avoid eating certain foods because they don't like the texture or color.
Pediatric Feeding Disorder - This is characterized by a lack of appetite that causes weight loss. It may be caused by anxiety or other stressors in the child's life, such as pain or changes in routine.
Swallowing Disorders - Swallowing disorders, also known as dysphagia, can affect anyone at any point in their life. It can be caused by a variety of issues including poor muscle coordination, sensory processing challenges, breathing difficulties, a limited range of motion, or a lack of sensation in the esophagus or throat.

Signs and Symptoms of Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

Feeding and swallowing disorders can be caused by many different reasons such as developmental delays, Parkinson's disease, or stroke. Feeding and Swallowing disorders can cause problems with nutrition, growth, and development, so it’s important to watch out for common signs, such as:

Frequent vomiting or regurgitation
Refusal to eat certain foods
Gagging while eating
Drooling excessively while eating
Dropping food from their mouth during meals
Choking on food when swallowing

If you think your child has a feeding or swallowing disorder, it is important to get them evaluated by a Speech Language Pathologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Treatment Options

After completing the evaluation, the SLP will discuss possible causes. The SLP may talk with you about ways to improve diet while they work on the development of swallowing functions through therapy exercises that focus on strengthening oral motor skills. Many factors are involved in choosing the best treatment, including developmental age and other medical conditions. In some cases, psychological, medical, or surgical intervention may be necessary, in which case an interdisciplinary team approach may be required to create an optimal plan that is tailored to the individual. Treatment options aim to achieve the following:

Optimizing techniques for more effective feeding
Development of dietary plans that are customized to the individual’s needs
Promotion of meaningful and effective mealtime experiences
Minimization of medical complications

Do You Need Feeding and Swallowing Evaluation or Treatment in the Atlanta, GA, Area?

If you or your child is having difficulty with eating or drinking, call Concierge Speech Services of Atlanta today. Our therapists are experts in their field, with years of training and experience working with children and adults. They are passionate about helping patients communicate clearly and learn to eat and drink safely. Contact our office for more information or to schedule your appointment.