Speech Therapy Connections
Pediatric Feeding Therapy & Swallowing Support in Bergen County NJ
At Speech Therapy Connections, we understand that feeding challenges can make daily life stressful for families. Whether your child is a picky eater or struggles with texture aversion ,our pediatric feeding therapy services in Bergen County, NJ provide compassionate, evidence-based support to help your child thrive.
As a licensed speech-language pathologists who specializes in feeding and swallowing therapy for toddlers, and children, offering both in-office and teletherapy options throughout Bergen County and the greater North Jersey area.
Feeding therapy can help if your child:
Eats fewer than 20 foods or avoids entire food groups.
Gags, vomits, or coughs during meals.
Is struggling to progress from purees to chewable textures.
Has difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or poor oral-motor control.
Experienced prolonged tube feeding or oral aversion after NICU care.
Shows extreme anxiety, frustration, or tantrums around meals.
Has ongoing poor weight gain or nutritional intake concerns.
What We Treat:
Our Bergen County feeding therapist supports a wide range of needs.
Picky or selective eating
Dysphagia and swallowing disorders
Sensory-based food aversions
Behavioral feeding difficulties
Failure to thrive or poor weight gain
At Speech Therapy Connections, every child’s feeding journey is unique. That’s why we create personalized, family-centered treatment plans built around the needs of your child and your household.
Comprehensive Evaluation
We begin with a thorough feeding and swallowing assessment where your insights as a caregiver guide the process. Together, we review your child’s current feeding and swallowing abilities, oral-motor skills, sensory responses, medical history, and family mealtime dynamics. If your child feels safe and comfortable, I may observe oral-motor or swallowing skills, but the priority is always trust and emotional safety first.
Individualized Therapy
Our therapy sessions may include:
Oral-motor strengthening (tongue, lips, jaw, cheeks)
Sensory based strategies to increase acceptance of textures and tastes
Swallowing therapy for children with dysphagia or reflux-related challenges
Caregiver coaching for effective, stress-free mealtimes
Play-based techniques to reduce anxiety and increase feelings of safety when exploring new foods
Caregiver Partnership
We believe the best progress happens when parents feel confident and supported. Each session includes education, at-home practice, and step-by-step guidance to create positive routines that last beyond the clinic.
Collaboration with Your Care Team
We collaborate closely with pediatricians, occupational therapists, dietitians, and other specialists to ensure your child’s plan is cohesive and coordinated.
Comfortable, Play-Based Environment
Children learn best through exploration. We use fun, pressure-free feeding therapy that helps kids feel safe trying new foods, while gently expanding their comfort zone and skills.
What Families Experience With Our Feeding Therapy Support
Our feeding therapy programs target emotional safety and connection first. Before prioritizing chewing, swallowing, or food variety, it’s important to understand how to help your child feel calm, safe, and understood at the table.
A large part of this process involves helping caregivers recognize the powerful role they play during mealtime. Together, we explore how co-regulation, communication, and the environment shape a child’s comfort and readiness to eat. When children feel seen and supported (not pressured), their body begins to trust the experience of eating again.
Once safety and trust are well established, we can gently address the physical components of feeding, such as oral-motor skills and sensory exploration, in a way that feels manageable and respectful of your child’s pace.
Our Journey Together
Why Families Choose Speech Therapy Connections
Specialized Expertise: We are trained in pediatric feeding and swallowing therapy, with advanced education in understanding the importance of relationship and mealtime for extremely picky eaters.
Local & Flexible: Serving families across Bergen County, including Paramus, Ridgewood, Hackensack, Wyckoff, and surrounding areas, with both in-office and virtual sessions.
Integrated Approach: We combine feeding therapy with communication, regulation, sensory-informed strategies, and oral-motor development to support the who child.
Family Empowerment: You’ll leave every session with actionable strategies that make real-life mealtimes easier and more enjoyable.
Compassionate, Lasting Progress: Families who have tried more traditional feeding therapies focused only on behavioral feeding strategies, oral-motor skills, or sensory exposure often find that a trauma-informed and relationship-based approach helps their child make steadier, more meaningful progress, even if it takes more time.
What To Expect
Free Consultation: Discuss your concerns and learn whether feeding therapy is right for your child.
Comprehensive Evaluation: A detailed assessment of oral-motor skills, swallowing, and sensory responses.
Customized Plan: Individualized goals and therapy roadmap built around your child’s needs.
Therapy Sessions: Play-based, hands-on sessions focused on safe skill-building and positive experiences.
Home Support: Practical tools and coaching for families to reinforce progress daily.
FAQs
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We serve toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Early intervention helps ensure the best long-term outcomes.
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Every child is different. Some make progress in weeks; others benefit from ongoing support. Our team tailors the timeline to your child’s needs.
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Yes! We offer in-office sessions in Bergen County and teletherapy throughout New Jersey for your convenience.
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Absolutely. We believe collaboration is key to success and regularly coordinate care with other specialists.