Many children have difficulty with feeding and swallowing. Some warning signs include: coughing, gagging or choking during or after meals, difficulty managing food textures, difficulty sucking from a bottle, unusually slow eating, tiring out before feeding is finished, increased congestion during or after meals, behavioral problems during meals, frequent pneumonia or wheezing, frequent spitting up or vomiting , poor weight gain or other concerns.
The Feeding & Swallowing Program helps children by bringing together a team of medically based, child focused and family centered individuals and providers from many specialties to provide a comprehensive team evaluation. Our goal is to maximize each child's feeding and swallowing potential through a comprehensive team approach and individualized treatment plan.
The core team from Huff Center Therapies includes a speech-language pathologist and an occupational therapist and when needed physicians, nurses, nutritionists and physical therapists may be included.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact (828) 213-9653.
Team Members will:
- Evaluate each child to develop recommendations and a feeding plan;
- Provide family education and training for individualized feeding issues;
- Collaborate with other team members regarding treatment goals;
- Collaborate with outside specialists, as appropriate;
- Provide direct or consultative treatment if recommended; and/or
- Make referrals for an additional testing where necessary
Speech-Language Pathologist:
- Assesses respiratory quality before, during and after feeding, oral structure/mobility and the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing;
- Makes recommendations regarding appropriate and safe diet/liquid levels and other compensatory strategies for improving swallow;
- Screens speech/language ability for general development; and
- Conducts and interprets the modified barium swallow study at a later date if indicated.
Occupational Therapist:
- Assesses oral-motor coordination and sensory processing abilities and sensory processing abilities which may impact feeding;
- Screens needs for positioning during feeding; and
- Explores the use of optimal utensils (e.g. nipples, cups, spoons, forks and bowls).
Nutritionist:
- Evaluates caloric intake requirements, nutritional makeup and /or varied formulas and foods; and
- Assesses physical growth and weight.
Physical Therapist:
- Assesses overall motor control and positioning relative to feeding; and
- Assesses overall development of the child.
Clinic Coordinator:
- Schedules initial and follow up appointments;
- Confirms appointments with families;
- Assists with determining insurance benefits and financial assistance as needed;
- Obtains authorizations as needed for initial evaluation and treatment; and
- Assists with ordering equipment as needed.
