Mealtime Buddies Feeding Groups are for preschool and school-aged children who are picky eaters and problem feeders. We use play-based and evidenced-based approaches to address the feeding needs of your child. Our groups are led by licensed speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists. Our therapists have extensive training in a wide variety of feeding-based therapy techniques. When appropriate, our licensed dietitian provides nutritional guidance for children’s specific dietary needs to be incorporated during group time.
Mealtime Buddies Feeding Groups benefits children who have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Specific food aversions
- Difficulty transitioning to new food textures (i.e. purees to solids)
- Difficulty trying new foods
- Difficulty gaining weight or maintaining nutrition/hydration on current diet
- Difficulty transitioning to oral eating (G-tube dependent)
Mealtime Buddies Feeding groups are formed based on age and feeding abilities. Peer models may be used during mealtime group sessions. Children participate in fun sensory regulating therapeutic interventions prior to food presentation for optimal success. Additionally, children participate in mealtime routines such as washing hands prior to eating, sitting at a table family style, cup, utensil and napkin usage, as well as engaging in age appropriate mealtime etiquette. Parents will receive ongoing at-home feeding strategies to implement during mealtimes at home for successful carryover. Group sessions encourage increased social interaction between children and their peers, and provide a safe, structured environment to experience food!
