Feeding Therapy in Raleigh
Our Speech-Language Pathologists in our Raleigh, NC office have special trainings and certifications to provide feeding therapy.
We specialize in:
● SOFFI®: Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants (2025)
● Feed the Peds (2023)
● CAN-EAT Approach to Pediatric Feeding (2022)
● AEIOU: An Integrated Approach to Pediatric Feeding (2022)
● FEES Training for Evaluation of Dysphagia (2011)
● Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS)
● Passy Muir Speaking Valve Training
● Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
If your child needs help with our feeding therapy services, our office is located at 8300 Health Park, Suite 325, Raleigh, NC 27615. Our office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Monday to Friday.
Feeding therapy services
In Raleigh, our Speech-Language Pathologists utilize evidence-based therapy to help our clients progress in food textures, utilize correct chewing techniques, and nourish themselves independently. Our feeding therapists help children with difficulty with solids, picky eating, food refusal, mealtime stress, and accepting solids and drinks.
Our orofacial myofunctional therapists evaluate and treat airway/breathing, tongue posture, jaw resting/grading, and oral feeding/chewing difficulties. This treatment is utilized to stop tongue thrust, improve articulation / speech intelligibility, improve swallowing / chewing / moving food in the mouth, improve ability to breathe through the nose (with mouth closed), reduce movement of teeth after orthodontic treatment and stop thumb-sucking, pacifier use, or nail biting habits
When should a parent seek out feeding therapy with a Speech-Language Pathologist?
A child should be treated for speech therapy if he or she also has difficulty chewing, swallowing, or feeding themselves.
Our Speech-Language Pathologists who see children for feeding therapy see a variety of diagnoses including developmental delay, down syndrome, genetic conditions, autism, and ADHD. We also see pediatrics with the following diagnoses or delays:
Oral-Motor & Swallowing Disorders
● Dysphagia (Oral, Pharyngeal, or Esophageal)
● Oral phase dysphagia (difficulty chewing, bolus formation)
● Pharyngeal dysphagia (delayed swallow initiation, aspiration risk)
● Silent aspiration
● Oropharyngeal discoordination
● Oral apraxia affecting feeding
● Oral hypotonia or hypertonia
● Oral motor weakness
● Tongue thrust impacting feeding
● Poor mastication/limited chewing skills
Structural & Anatomical Diagnoses
● Cleft lip and/or palate
● Laryngomalacia
● Tracheomalacia
● Ankyloglossia (tongue tie) impacting feeding
● Submucous cleft
● Micrognathia, Pierre Robin Sequence
● Craniofacial anomalies
● Esophageal atresia or TEF (tracheoesophageal fistula)
Neurodevelopmental & Neurological Conditions
● Cerebral palsy with feeding/swallowing involvement
● Genetic syndromes with feeding impact (Down syndrome, 22q deletion, etc.)
● Autism spectrum disorder with feeding difficulties
● Global developmental delay affecting feeding
● Neuromuscular disorders (e.g., muscular dystrophy)
● Prematurity-related feeding disorder
● NICU/transition to oral feeding delays
When should a parent seek out feeding therapy?
Feeding therapy with a Speech-Language Pathologist should be sought out if a child is choking/gagging, turning away, has frequent respiratory illnesses, extended meal times (30 minutes or longer), the child appears tired or sweaty during meal times or the child is drooling or unable to hold food in his or her mouth.
For younger children, signs of a feeding issue are trouble transitioning from breast to bottle or cup, refusing to try textures presented, or only accepting very specific foods/textures.
Some children display behaviors related to feeding that feeding therapy can address such as tantrums or anxiety at mealtimes, eating fewer than 10-15 foods consistently, food jagging (never accepting previously safe foods), needs screen time to eat or food refusal related to fear such as “I’ll choke if I eat that.”
Oral motor coordination should be considered when determining if a child needs feeding therapy. These red flags include weak suck, food pocketing in cheeks, messy eating that is above normal, tongue thrust, poor tongue movement or reduced jaw stability during eating.
Some medical factors that increase the risk of feeding difficulties include prematurity, NICU stay, tube feeding history, down syndrome, autism, CP or other genetic conditions impacting feeding skills. Also included are chronic reflux, constipation, GI discomfort, poor weight gain or stressful mealtimes that cause family conflict.
Why choose ACT Therapy Services for your feeding therapy?
ACT Therapy Services provides a neurodiversity affirming, play-based environment where children lead the sessions! We make feeding therapy fun and effective for the entire family. Families are invited to observe and learn throughout every session.
What is the process for getting started with feeding therapy with ACT Therapy Services?
Give us a call to discuss the best clinician and location fit! From there, we will obtain some basic information over the phone such as your doctor’s name, your biographical information and insurance information. We will send an order for services to your doctor on your behalf. From there, the initial speech or feeding therapy evaluation is one hour long.
Sessions after the evaluation are typically 30 minutes long and these can be held once, twice or three times weekly. Our front office works with your family to find the best possible schedule. We will work with other providers such as allergists, pediatricians and GI specialists to coordinate your care. We set the plan of care for three to six months with discharge earlier if all goals are met.
What are the benefits children gain by receiving feeding therapy at ACT Therapy Services?
Children and their families can expect the following outcomes with consistent feeding therapy: improved safety with eating/swallowing, better oral motor control and strength, widening food variety, increased confidence at meal times, better nutritional intake and growth, reduced mealtime stress and better carryover into natural environments/home.
Our feeding therapists monitor and adjust to progress to ensure therapy is not a “one size fits all” approach. This is why it is imperative to work with other providers on your child’s team for best outcomes. We provide feeding therapy to all ages of children. Early intervention is imperative to get ahead of serious issues that can arise.