About our Feeding Clinic

Our feeding clinic has a unique multidisciplinary approach that offers feeding and swallowing therapy for children from birth to 21 years of age. We work collaboratively with other professional disciplines such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, dieticians, and medical specialists including GI doctors, ENTs, and your pediatricians to address your child’s oral feeding development in a holistic manner. We look at feeding and swallowing issues not as an isolated breakdown within the mouth, but as a breakdown in the interaction of multiple body systems, which is necessary for a successful and enjoyable eating experience. Feeding issues not only take a toll on the child but on the entire family. Often parents ask what feeding treatment approach we use. Years of experience of treating children with feeding problems have taught us that it is not a specific treatment approach that leads to a successful feeding outcome, but it is an accurate assessment of where the systemic breakdown is and a plan for addressing those breakdowns. 

"Smita Joshi is an outstanding feeding therapist. As a pediatric gastroenterologist I really count on her expertise in helping my patients eat. I also really appreciate the way she communicates with me so we can give our mutual patients the best comprehensive care. I give her my highest recommendation."
Dr. Suzanne Nelson, MD
Pediatric GI Specialist

Patient Stories

See how we’ve helped other children reach their milestones.

> Patient Stories

Initial Evaluation - What to Expect

Learn more about what to expect during your initial feeding evaluation.

Who benefits from feeding therapy?

Infants who…

  • Have difficulty nursing/bottle feeding
  • Have difficulty transitioning from breast to bottle
  • Have difficulty weaning off bottle
  • Struggle transitioning to solid foods
  • Have difficulty transitioning to open cups and straws
  • Are unable to consume liquids safely (e.g., choking, nasal regurgitation)
  • Have difficulty gaining weight
  • Have been discharged from NICU
  • Infants who have feeding tubes and/or are weaning off feeding tubes (NG, G, G-J tubes)

Children who…

  • Have difficulty transitioning to solids and various food textures
  • Are not developing adequate chewing skills
  • Are picky eaters such that they do not consume a balanced and healthy diet
  • Have restrictive and/or ritualistic diets
  • Have sensory behavioral feeding disorders
  • Have a history of GI conditions such as EOE, FPIES, allergic colitis, Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease
  • Have a history of significant respiratory conditions
  • Children who are dependent on tube feeding (NG, G, G-J tubes)

Feeding Therapy Programs

Milestones

Locations

Feeding Therapy from our staff is also available:

Wednesdays: 

  • 3633 West Lake Ave, Suite 103 Glenview, IL  (Located at the Lurie Children’s Outpatient Services in Glenview location)

Meet Our Therapists

Our feeding therapists are fully licensed speech-language pathologists who have additional professional training in managing feeding and swallowing difficulties in pediatric populations. They maintain a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and maintain IL professional licenses. Many of our feeding therapists are also certified Early Intervention providers.

> Meet Our Team