Feeding and Swallowing Therapy
Click on each service or approach listed to the right to learn more about what Flex Therapy can provide to you and your family. Due to our hybrid model of providing services in an office, in the home, and in the community, we are able to work comfortably with individuals with a variety of support needs.
We offer free consultations via phone or Zoom to discuss your specific concerns and needs.
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Feeding therapy is a specialized intervention designed to address challenges related to eating, drinking, and swallowing. Feeding therapy aims to improve the individual's oral motor skills, sensory processing, and overall ability to eat and drink safely and efficiently. We use a variety of techniques, exercises, and strategies to address specific feeding difficulties, such as aversions to certain textures, limited food acceptance, difficulty chewing or swallowing, and problems transitioning to solid foods. Therapy sessions are tailored to each client’s unique needs to promote positive feeding experiences and ensure proper nutrition and hydration.
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The SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding is a therapeutic method designed to help children who have feeding difficulties or food aversions. It focuses on gradually exposing children to new foods in a non-stressful, playful environment, using a step-by-step process that integrates sensory, motor, oral, and social learning. The approach encourages exploration of food through touch, smell, and taste, without pressure to eat, helping children become more comfortable with different textures and flavors. The goal is to build positive associations with food and promote balanced, enjoyable eating habits.
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The AEIOU Approach to Feeding is a comprehensive framework designed to support children with feeding difficulties. It stands for Acceptance, Exposure, Independence, Observation, and Understanding, emphasizing a positive and child-centered approach to feeding therapy. The approach focuses on building a child's comfort and acceptance of food, gradually increasing their exposure to new textures and flavors, promoting independence in feeding, and closely observing their behaviors and cues. By understanding the child's unique sensory, motor, and emotional needs, the AEIOU approach aims to create a stress-free, supportive environment for developing healthy feeding habits.
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Myofunctional therapy is a specialized treatment that focuses on improving the function and coordination of the muscles used for breathing, speaking, chewing, and swallowing. It involves exercises to strengthen the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to address issues like tongue thrust, mouth breathing, snoring, or improper swallowing patterns. This therapy is often used to treat orofacial myofunctional disorders, sleep apnea, and orthodontic concerns, promoting proper oral posture and function. The goal is to enhance breathing, speech, and swallowing, while also supporting overall dental and airway health.
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The Sensory Motor Approach to feeding focuses on addressing the sensory and motor aspects of eating and drinking. It integrates sensory integration techniques with motor skill development to help children who have feeding challenges related to sensory processing or oral motor difficulties. This approach involves activities designed to improve the child’s ability to handle different textures, tastes, and temperatures of food, while also enhancing their oral motor skills, such as chewing and swallowing. By targeting both sensory sensitivities and motor skills, the Sensory Motor Approach aims to create a more comfortable and functional feeding experience for the child.
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Responsive feeding is an approach to feeding that emphasizes following a child’s cues for hunger, fullness, and interest in food. It encourages caregivers to be attentive, supportive, and flexible during meals, allowing the child to guide the pace and amount they eat. This method promotes a positive mealtime experience by fostering trust and reducing pressure around eating, which can improve a child’s relationship with food. Responsive feeding helps children develop healthy eating habits, supports their autonomy, and can be especially beneficial for children with feeding challenges or sensory sensitivities.
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The Beckman Oral Motor Protocol is a structured approach used by speech and occupational therapists to improve oral motor function in individuals with feeding, speech, or swallowing difficulties. It involves specific manual techniques, such as stretches and massages, to target the lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw, aimed at increasing strength, range of motion, and coordination in these muscles. The protocol is commonly used for individuals with developmental disabilities, neurological impairments, or oral motor delays, promoting better control for feeding.
Our Company and Philosophy
Flex Therapy is a therapist-owned company offering Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy services in our office in Wasilla, Alaska. We provide high-quality therapeutic interventions to individuals across the lifespan, but currently the Flex Therapy office in Wasilla is geared toward serving pediatrics.
Flex Home Therapy Services, LLC has been serving individuals in Palmer, Wasilla, and the surrounding areas since 2019. In 2022, the need and demand for our services exceeded our ability to provide all of our services in the home setting. We then opened an office in central Wasilla, and now do business as "Flex Therapy" to reflect that these services are provided in an office setting and not in the home. Home visits for adults and children may be scheduled with Flex Therapy or Flex Home Therapy Services.
At Flex Therapy, we build meaningful relationships with the families we work with to make therapy a positive experience for all involved. Our clients and their families are always encouraged to share the details of their lives with our team, as this helps our therapists to make sure they are providing individualized care.
Our clinic provides a neurodiversity-affirming environment, focusing on facilitating functional skills, regulation, and effective communication. When interacting with our pediatric clients, our therapists use gentle, respectful, and authoritative communication approaches and behavior management strategies.
Depending on our pediatric clients' age and unique needs, therapy may be play-based or it may be appear more structured in nature. If families ever have any questions about the approaches or techniques that our therapists are using, we are happy to share our knowledge and expertise!
