Pediatric Speech, Language, & Feeding Specialist
Helping kids to communicate and eat to their best ability
An individualized, whole-child approach
I use an eclectic approach in feeding intervention, integrating principals from the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) program, oral desensitization, oral motor strength and coordination building, positive social-emotional skill building, ongoing feeding/swallowing assessment, and parent coaching.
Since each kiddo’s feeding challenge is different from their peer’s, each intervention plan is individualized to fit that kiddo’s needs specifically.
Knowledgeable Compassionate Experienced
I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in communication sciences and disorders, with a minor in vocal music from the University of Northern Iowa. I earned my Masters of Arts degree in speech language pathology from the University of Northern Iowa, completing my research and Thesis on the effects of music on language development.
Since then I have worked in a variety of settings including inpatient rehab in a pediatric unit, outpatient clinic, the Autism Team for Academy School District 20, Early Intervention, and Home Health. I have gone through extensive trainings to build my expertise including the Early Intervention Coaching Model, SOS, Fragile Infant Feeding Institute (FIFI), Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants (SOFFI), and Feeding & Swallowing in the NICU.
Children who benefit from therapy
Picky Eaters
Having a child who is a picky eater can be endlessly frustrating & stressful for parents. Some kids have more difficulty processing the sensory information of food, leading to more serious aversions. Learn techniques & strategies for desensitization, increasing tolerance for new foods, & expanding the variety of foods your child will eat, creating happier meal times.
Swallowing Disorders
Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder which causes children to aspirate, leading to health issues such as pneumonia & other respiratory illnesses. By building oral & pharyngeal strength & coordination, your child can learn to swallow safely and effectively.
Feeding Tubes
Helping children with feeding tubes (NG-tubes, G-tubes, GJ-tubes) transition to oral eaters through oral exploration, building oral motor strength & coordination, and safely increasing volume taken in by mouth.
Speech Sound Production
Improve your child’s speech clarity via articulation & phonological skills so that they can be better understood by family and friends.
Receptive Language
Increase a child’s understanding of language, including their ability to identify objects, follow directions, learn new vocabulary and answer questions.
Expressive Language
Improve your child’s ability to express their wants & needs, initiate a request, answer questions, etc. via a variety of modalities (e.g. words, sign language, communication device, etc.).
Conditions Treated
Selective eating
Less than typical weight gain or growth
Aspiration
Refusing food or liquid
Long feeding times
Difficulty chewing
Difficulty breast/bottle feeding
Excessive drooling
Frequent or recurring pneumonia or upper respiratory infections
Arching or stiffening of the body during feeding
Irritability or lack of alertness during feeding
Difficulty tolerating a wide variety of textures of food (e.g. only pureed foods or only crunchy cereals)
Food/liquid coming out of the mouth or nose while eating/drinking
Difficulty coordinating breathing with eating and drinking
Gurgly, hoarse, or breathy voice quality
Coughing or gagging during meals
Frequent spitting up or vomiting
If you have concerns about any of the above symptoms, your child may benefit from feeding therapy.
“My daughter is trying all sorts of new foods and finding out she likes many of them. She always looks forward to her sessions and has such a great time!”
— David S.