3 Signs Your Child May Need a Feeding Evaluation

Feeding challenges can be stressful—for both kids and their caregivers. While some picky eating is typical, certain patterns may signal that your child could benefit from support. Here are three signs your child may need a feeding evaluation:

1. Mealtimes Are a Battle Every Day
If your child consistently refuses meals, becomes distressed around food, or only eats a very limited selection of foods (often “white foods” or carbs), it may be more than just picky eating.

2. They Cough, Gag, or Spit Out Foods Often
Frequent gagging, choking, or pocketing food in the cheeks may point to difficulties with oral motor skills, texture tolerance, or an inefficient swallow pattern.

3. They’re Still Using Baby Food Textures Past Age 1–2
If your toddler prefers purees and struggles with table foods or solids, this could be a sign of delayed oral motor development or sensory-based feeding aversions.

Feeding therapy is gentle, play-based, and designed to help your child feel safe, confident, and successful with food.

Not Local to Us? Here’s What You Can Do

If you’re noticing feeding challenges but don’t live near our clinic in Virginia, don’t worry—you still have options. Here are a few steps you can take to support your child:

1. Talk to Your Pediatrician
Bring up your concerns and ask for a referral to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or occupational therapist (OT) who specializes in feeding. Be specific about what you’re seeing—like gagging, refusal, or pocketing food.

2. Look for a Feeding Therapist Near You
Use directories like:

• ASHA’s ProFind (www.asha.org/profind)

• Feeding Matters (feedingmatters.org)

• Search “pediatric feeding therapy near me” and look for providers trained in oral motor, sensory-based, or SOS Approach to Feeding.

3. Keep a Feeding Journal
Write down what your child eats, how they respond to different textures, and any behaviors you notice. This can be incredibly helpful when meeting with professionals.

4. Start Where You Are
You can support your child at home by:

• Encouraging exploration of food through play (e.g., letting them touch, smell, or squish it without pressure to eat).

• Using child-sized utensils and fun plates to increase mealtime engagement.

• Avoiding force-feeding or pressure—keep mealtimes low-stress and consistent.

Feeding therapy is about more than just food—it’s about comfort, confidence, and connection. Whether you’re nearby or across the country, know that support exists, and you are not alone.
Need help figuring out your next steps? Feel free to reach out—we’re happy to point you in the right direction, even if we can’t work together directly.

If you're noticing any of these signs, we’re here to help. Reach out to schedule a feeding evaluation—we’d love to support your child’s journey with eating.