I am an occupational therapist who specializes in feeding. What does that mean? I treat children, mainly 18-24 month-olds, who: 1. don't eat 2. don't eat enough 3. only eat pureed or soft food, or 4. only eat certain food. Most of the children I see do not have a diagnosis. They are kids with no really history of delays other than difficulty eating. Some do have other delays or a diagnosis.
Why feeding? I have no idea. Occupational therapy is using a person's occupation to assist in the rehabiliation. With children it is more habilitation. As an occupational therapist (OT), I look at the whole child and what a child should be doing at their age - playing, sleeping, and eating. Part of playing and eating is socializing and being part of a family. I find that when eating is not going well, the whole family unit falls apart. Eating is what sustains us. It is how we fuel our body. Without food in out system and sleep - we cannot function. When feeding goes wrong it takes away from living.
My philosophy is being positive. Not happy but enjoying all the small steps towards the goal. Life is a journey of many paths. I'm honored to be part of the journey that my families take.
