Rehabilitation Specialty Programs

Feeding & Swallowing Rehabilitation Program

The Elliot Rehabilitation Services team is dedicated to maximizing independence & safety in all areas of feeding & swallowing, from infancy to our geriatric populations. Commonly seen diagnoses include:

Dysphagia
Failure to Thrive
Oral Motor Dysfunction
Craniofacial Anomalies
Neurological, Genetic &/or Congenital Diagnosis
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Facial Paralysis &/or Paresis
Vocal Fold Paralysis &/or Paresis
Oral Aversions
Feeding Difficulties in Newborn
Sensory Processing Differences
Prematurity
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Feeding dysfunction can impact all areas of daily life & can be challenged by a number of systemic approaches. Our therapists are skilled at identifying performance skill deficits and develop interventions and strategies to address these challenges.

Approach

Our therapists work with a patient-centered focus to determine a treatment plan that assures maximal success. We will utilize a variety of advanced therapy techniques including:

Sensory Based Feeding Therapy
Play Based Feeding Therapy
Desensitization Techniques
Behavioral Modifications
Adaptive Equipment Implementation
Diet Modification
Compensatory Strategy Instruction
Oral Motor &/or Pharyngeal Habilitation/Rehabilitation
Collaboration with involved providers (Primary Care, Gastroenterology, Pulmonary, Otolaryngology)

Advanced Care/Expertise

Our feeding therapists include occupational & speech therapists with advanced feeding/swallowing rehabilitation training. Many of our clinicians have post professional training including experience working with strategies from Beckman Oral Motor and Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding. Throughout care plans, strategies are shared with patients and caregivers to support carryover of techniques at home. Due to the environment’s impact upon feeding participation, transition of skills to alternate environments is a continuous focus during treatment with end goal of performance being duplicated outside of sessions for discharge.

Elliot Rehabilitation Services has a strong collaboration with Elliot Gastroenterology, Elliot Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Elliot NICU Follow-Up Program and Elliot Cancer Center.