Pediatric Feeding Therapy in Texarkana, TX

Helping Children Enjoy Mealtimes

Mealtimes should be an opportunity for your family to connect and relax together. But for some children, eating can feel stressful, painful, or overwhelming. If your family mealtimes feel less relaxing and more like a chore, our expert feeding therapists are here to help.

We work with children from birth through age 21 to address feeding difficulties, from picky eating to safe chewing and swallowing. Keep reading to learn how our approach can support your child’s healthy growth and wellbeing. Or click the button below to schedule your child’s evaluation today.

What Is Pediatric Feeding Therapy?

Pediatric feeding therapy helps children build the various skills they need for safe and enjoyable eating. These can include physical skills like the ability to chew and swallow safely; or they can include internal skills like tolerating different textures or tastes.  

Our feeding specialists in Texarkana, TX, work to make mealtimes less stressful for your family. Through play-based strategies, we can help your child build feeding skills in the following key areas:

Oral-Motor Feeding Skills

If your child has chewing or swallowing difficulties, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) will lead their care. We perform detailed swallowing evaluations and use targeted exercises and strategies to build their oral strength and coordination for safer mealtimes.

Sensory-Based Picky Eating

If your child’s challenges are more from texture, taste, or sensory aversions, our occupational therapists (OTs) will take the lead. We guide playful exposure to new textures and flavors using proven techniques to increase the number of foods your child will accept and enjoy.

Combined Challenges

Because feeding often involves both motor skills and sensory tolerance, our SLPs and OTs work hand-in-hand. They share findings and strategies so your child benefits from comprehensive, unified therapy.

Signs Your Child Could Benefit from a Feeding Therapy Evaluation

We’d recommend you seek an evaluation for feeding therapy if your child experiences:

  • Limited variety of accepted foods
  • Refuses “messy” foods or dislikes having food touch their hands
  • Gagging, choking, or coughing during meals
  • Excessive drooling
  • Tongue or lip ties
  • Arching or stiffening of the body when feeding
  • Difficulty chewing or moving food around the mouth
  • Strong aversions to certain textures, smells, or temperatures
  • Mealtimes regularly take longer than 30–45 minutes
  • Trouble gaining weight or unexpected weight loss
  • Frequent respiratory infections or history of spitting up

Our Approach to Pediatric Feeding Therapy

At Texarkana Therapy Center, we believe feeding can be fun when it is playful and supports relaxing family mealtimes. Our SLPs and OTs design play-based, proven treatments to help children build their feeding skills while keeping them motivated.

We work closely with families to identify each child’s unique needs and offer simple, practical strategies to help them succeed at home and in daily activities. Our sessions are engaging, supportive, and focused on helping your child succeed while having fun.

What Your Child Can Learn in Feeding Therapy

Our speech and occupational therapists can help your child build key feeding skills, including:

  • Chewing & Swallowing: Safely managing different food consistencies without coughing or choking.
  • Mealtime Behaviors: Practicing patience, manners, and self‐regulation during snacks and meals.
  • Sensory Tolerance: Building tolerance for a wider variety of food textures, tastes, and smells.
  • Self‐Feeding: Using hands, utensils, cups, and adaptive equipment to eat and drink independently.

Why Choose Texarkana Therapy Center?

Families choose us because we deliver evidence‑based strategies tailored to your child’s needs in a friendly and fun environment. Our skilled therapists know how to make each session feel fun and rewarding so that your child can gain the skills they need for lifelong success.

Our clinic offers a welcoming setting where children feel safe to explore new foods and families receive clear guidance and hands‑on coaching. We’re here to support your child’s growth and overall health.

Schedule Your Child’s Feeding Evaluation Today

Give your child the support they need for confidence and independence at mealtimes. Our team of experts are ready to help your family one bite at a time. 

Call Texarkana Therapy Center at (903) 793-6135 to schedule your child’s feeding therapy evaluation today.