Feeding and Swallowing Therapy

There are different types of feeding therapy depending on what your child needs help with. For example:

• Feeding therapy may help your child learn to bite and chew foods, drink from a cup or accept a variety of different foods.
• Your child's therapist may also monitor and address your child's swallowing safety. 

Therapy usually includes caregiver education to help you work with your child at home.

Feeding and swallowing therapy is provided by a speech-language pathologist (SLP), occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT) or behavioral mental health provider who has expertise in feeding and swallowing problems. Often, a team approach helps provide the best care for your child. Therapy may be provided in your home or at a clinic.

We have limited options for feeding and swallowing therapy at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the available services may not meet your child’s needs. However, we would like to help you find other outside resources to support your child.

•  Contact the Washington State Early Support for Infants and Toddlers Program (ESIT), also known as “Early Intervention” or “Birth to Three.” Children under age 3 are eligible for a developmental evaluation.

For more information, visit:

• dcyf.wa.gov/services/child-development-supports/esit/early-intervention-services.
• Or call
  1-800-322-2588
  and say you are interested in feeding and swallowing therapy. 

• Visit the Pediatric Feeding Association at:
  pedsfeeds.com
  and choose the option “Find a Provider” to search for feeding therapists in your community.
• Search online for “pediatric feeding and swallowing therapy” in your community and surrounding area. Contact the clinic to confirm they provide feeding and swallowing therapy for children.

• Contact the therapist directly or call Speech and Language Services at
  206-987-2104
• to request a list of therapy providers from your child’s evaluating therapist. You can also call us to have evaluation notes sent to your child’s feeding therapist. 

• This depends on your insurance carrier and the feeding therapy provider. Contact your child’s insurance and ask for details about your therapy benefits.
• You can also ask for a list of “in-network” clinics and providers in your community. Once you choose a therapy provider, call to confirm they accept your child’s insurance. 

Contact your child’s primary care physician (pediatrician) and have them send a referral for feeding therapy to the provider/clinic you have chosen.