Feeding & Swallowing Rehabilitation

Feeding & Swallowing Rehabilitation

Available Inpatient and Outpatient

Feeding & Swallowing Rehabilitation Program

The Elliot Rehabilitation Services team is dedicated to maximizing independence and safety in all areas of feeding and swallowing, from infancy to our geriatric populations.

Feeding dysfunction can impact all areas of daily life and can be challenged by a number of systemic approaches. Our therapists are skilled at identifying performance skill deficits and developing interventions and strategies to address these challenges.

Commonly Seen Diagnoses:

  • Dysphagia
  • Failure to Thrive
  • Oral Motor Dysfunction
  • Craniofacial Anomalies
  • Neurological, Genetic &/or Congenital Diagnosis
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux
  • Facial Paralysis &/or Paresis
  • Vocal Fold Paralysis &/or Paresis
  • Oral Aversions
  • Feeding Difficulties in Newborn
  • Sensory Processing Differences
  • Prematurity
  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Our Approach

Our therapists work with a patient-centered focus to PROVIDE feeding and swallowing therapy AND to determine a treatment plan that assures maximal success. We will utilize a variety of advanced therapy techniques including:

  • Sensory Based Feeding Therapy
  • Play Based Feeding Therapy
  • Desensitization Techniques
  • Behavioral Modifications
  • Adaptive Equipment Implementation
  • Diet Modification
  • Compensatory Strategy Instruction
  • Oral Motor &/or Pharyngeal Habilitation/Rehabilitation
  • Collaboration with involved providers (Primary Care, Gastroenterology, Pulmonary, Otolaryngology)

Advanced Care/Expertise

Our feeding therapists include occupational and speech therapists with advanced feeding/swallowing rehabilitation training. Many of our clinicians have post professional training including experience working with strategies from Beckman Oral Motor and Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding. Throughout care plans, strategies are shared with patients and caregivers to support carryover of techniques at home. Due to the environment’s impact upon feeding participation, transition of skills to alternate environments is a continuous focus during treatment with end goal of performance being duplicated outside of sessions for discharge.

Elliot Rehabilitation Services has a strong collaboration with Elliot Gastroenterology, Elliot Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Elliot NICU Follow-Up Program and Elliot Cancer Center.