Pediatric Feeding Therapy

Sensory-based feeding and oral-motor readiness care

At Daviess Community Hospital’s CORE Center, our pediatric therapy team helps infants, toddlers, and children build the skills, comfort, and confidence they need for mealtimes. Pediatric Feeding Therapy at CORE focuses on sensory-based feeding and oral-motor readiness—developing safe, age-appropriate skills for tasting, chewing, and accepting a variety of foods. Care is individualized, family-centered, and available in Washington and Odon, Indiana.

Who can benefit

Pediatric Feeding Therapy may help if your child:

• Avoids certain textures or temperatures (gagging, strong aversions, “picky eating” with sensory features)
• Eats a very limited variety of foods (brand-specific or “white foods only”)
• Has difficulty transitioning from bottles/purees to table foods
• Shows oral-motor challenges (weak lip seal, limited tongue movement, difficulty chewing) without medical swallowing risk
• Experiences mealtime stress, fatigue, or behavioral resistance around eating
• Has developmental conditions that affect feeding routines (autism spectrum, sensory processing differences, motor delays)

If mealtimes are stressful—or nutrition variety is limited—an evaluation can help you understand where to start.

What Pediatric Feeding Therapy includes

CORE’s feeding services are behavioral/sensory and skill-building in nature—not medical swallowing treatment. Your child’s plan may include:

• Sensory-based strategies to gradually increase acceptance of textures, tastes, and temperatures
• Oral-motor readiness activities to support chewing, lateralization, lip closure, and food manipulation
• Stepwise food exploration (look, touch, smell, taste) to expand variety without pressure
• Mealtime routines & seating/positioning to support attention and success
• Caregiver coaching with simple home strategies and meal planning ideas
• Coordination with pediatricians, schools, and other therapists when appropriate

Your child’s feeding plan is designed and delivered by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and/or occupational therapists (OTs), depending on needs.

What to expect

1) Evaluation
We review medical and developmental history, daily routines, past feeding experiences, and current foods accepted. We observe oral-motor skills, sensory responses, and mealtime behaviors to set meaningful goals.

2) Individualized plan
Treatment focuses on comfort + skill—progressing from exploration to tasting to eating across food groups and textures. We match strategies to what works at home and school.

3) Coaching & carryover
Caregivers receive clear, actionable steps for practice between visits (meal setup, pacing, positive language, exposure methods). We update the plan as your child succeeds with new foods.

Signs your child may need a feeding evaluation

• Eats fewer than 15–20 foods consistently
• Avoids entire food groups or gags with textures
• Limited progress transitioning to table foods
• Mealtimes are highly stressful for child or family
• Weight gain is adequate but variety and participation are limited

If your child experiences difficulty swallowing, call us about Dysphagia Therapy.

Why families choose CORE

• Compassionate, family-centered approach—we meet kids where they are
• Evidence-based strategies for sensory and oral-motor readiness
• Practical home plans that fit real mealtime routines
• Team-based care with SLPs and OTs, coordinated with pediatricians and schools
• Convenient outpatient locations in Washington and Odon, Indiana

Locations and scheduling

• CORE Center – 421 E. Van Trees Street, Washington, IN
• CORE Center at North Daviess – 800 S. West Street, Odon, IN

Call (812) 254-8889 to schedule a pediatric feeding evaluation or ask about referral requirements.
Many insurers require a physician referral—our team can help you determine next steps.

FAQs

Is this the same as Dysphagia Therapy?
No. Pediatric Feeding Therapy at CORE addresses sensory-based feeding and oral-motor readiness. Medical swallowing (dysphagia) concerns are treated through Dysphagia Therapy.

Do you require a referral?
Many plans do. Call (812) 254-8889 and we’ll help you confirm your coverage and next steps.

How long does therapy take?
It varies. We set clear goals, measure progress, and update strategies to keep gains moving from clinic to home.