Support Through Challenges

“Fraser has the same goals for our boys as we do,” Matt and Michelle said. “We all want them to be independent and live happy, fulfilling lives. With Fraser as part of our life, we know that can happen.”

Feeding Therapy

Feeding Therapy Programs are designed to help manage or overcome common feeding difficulties in children with disabilities, particularly children with autism spectrum disorders. Feeding difficulties can include: gagging and vomiting; refusing to eat food categories; eating only specific foods; overstuffing the mouth; tolerating only specific brands; and swallowing difficulties.

We provide comprehensive multidisciplinary feeding evaluations with a psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and an occupational therapist. We use the S.O.S (Sequential Oral Sensory) approach, which uses typical feeding development as a template for increasing skill.

During therapy, children are encouraged to interact with foods in a non-threatening environment. They learn to trust people with food (their usual experience is for someone to try to get it in their mouth) and they learn how to interact with foods gradually (first seeing, then touching, then tasting, with the ultimate goal of eating). Foods are presented in a specific hierarchy, where each food is linked to the previous food by at least one characteristic (color, shape, flavor).

Feeding evaluations are provided for children of all ages. Treatment is recommended on the individual needs of the child, not based on age. Services can vary in frequency and composition.

Locations: This program is currently offered in our Fraser Minneapolis, and Fraser School (Richfield) locations.

Payment: Feeding therapy sessions are typically paid by insurance, Medical Assistance/TEFRA, prepaid health plans (PMAP), county funding, or private pay.

Call 612-767-7222 to register.

Support Through Challenges

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Feeding Therapy