You’ve Been Referred for Feeding and Swallowing Therapy – What’s Next?
You’ve shared concerns with your pediatrician, and now your child has been referred for a feeding and swallowing evaluation. That’s an important step forward. Whether this is your first experience with speech-language pathology (SLP) or you’re familiar with therapy, this guide will help you understand what to expect, your role, and how we’ll work together to support your child’s progress.
What is Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy?
Children with feeding and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) may face challenges with breast/bottle feeding, transitioning to solid foods, chewing, drinking from cups, or managing different textures safely.
Feeding and swallowing therapy helps children:
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Develop safe swallowing skills
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Improve oral motor strength and coordination
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Tolerate age-appropriate textures and foods
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Build confidence and independence at mealtimes
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Address behaviors or sensory sensitivities related to eating
We focus on the whole child, combining clinical expertise with play-based, family-centered strategies to help them succeed.
Preparing for the Appointment
For the evaluation, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in at the front desk. Review our Feeding Evaluation Checklist and bring the requested items to help provide a typical experience for your child.
Your attention and participation are essential for a thorough evaluation. To prepare:
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Note any feeding or swallowing challenges you’ve observed
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Think about your priorities and goals for therapy
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Bring details about your child’s routines, preferred foods, utensils, and cups
These insights give your therapist a clear picture of your child’s needs and strengths.
What Happens During the Evaluation?
The evaluation typically lasts about an hour and includes:
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Parent Interview: Discuss your child’s medical and family history, feeding concerns, and observed behaviors.
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Oral and Swallow Mechanism Exam: We may make silly faces, observe the tongue, lips, and jaw, check for tongue tie, assess nasal breathing, and look at throat structures.
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Feeding Observation:
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Infants: Breast/bottle latch, coordination of breathing, positioning, efficiency, and safety
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Older infants, toddlers, and children: Feeding with familiar foods and utensils, assessing chewing, swallowing, and mealtime behaviors
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Dynamic Trials: Your therapist may try different positions, techniques, or strategies to see what helps your child swallow safely and efficiently.
Depending on your child’s needs, we may recommend additional instrumental assessments (NOT AVAILABLE AT CTD):
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Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): Visualizes the throat while your child swallows
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Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBS): Video X-ray of swallowing to check for aspiration or structural challenges
What Comes Next?
After the evaluation, your therapist will:
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Discuss findings and answer your questions
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Recommend whether therapy is needed
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Outline your child’s individualized plan of care, including goals, treatment frequency, and strategies to support practice at home
Therapy is not limited to the clinic. Real progress happens in daily routines, mealtimes, and everyday practice guided by your SLP.
What to Expect During Therapy Sessions
Therapy is play-based and engaging! Our SLPs work with your child’s interests to build skills in a fun, motivating way.
Each session is a partnership between you, your child, and the therapist:
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You’ll learn strategies to try at home
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We’ll troubleshoot challenges and celebrate wins
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Skills introduced in the clinic are reinforced in daily routines
We’re in This Together
Starting therapy is a big step, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Connect the Dots, we see therapy as a true partnership: therapist + child + caregiver.
We bring clinical expertise, evidence-based strategies, and guidance. You bring insight, consistency, and the everyday opportunities to practice skills at home. Together, small moments turn into meaningful progress.
You can expect:
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Hands-on coaching during sessions so you feel confident supporting your child at home
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Clear, practical strategies to use during meals, play, and daily routines
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Regular check-ins to celebrate wins, adjust strategies, and troubleshoot challenges
Your involvement matters! Every practice, every encouragement, and every mealtime counts. We’re not just supporting your child; we’re supporting your whole family.
As a CTD Parent/Guardian, we ask that you:
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Attend sessions consistently (or have a caregiver attend)
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Actively practice strategies at home and communicate with the therapist
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Share updates, changes, or concerns about your child’s daily routine
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Respect shared clinic spaces, knowing therapy may occur alongside other children
Planning for the Future
From day one, our goal is to help your child build the skills they need—and then celebrate when they no longer need us.
Therapy is a season, not forever. As your child meets their goals, we’ll prepare for graduation. This milestone is a sign of real progress and readiness to use skills independently in everyday life.
At times, progress may plateau or your child’s needs may change, and therapy may be discontinued. This can feel worrisome, but it’s often an exciting sign that your child has reached an important developmental milestone. Your therapist will guide you on how to continue supporting your child’s progress at home.
Join Us on the Journey to Success!
At Connect the Dots, our goal is to help your child achieve their highest potential. With customized care plans, ongoing support, and evidence-based strategies, we’re here every step of the way.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about Connect the Dots, get therapist-recommended activities to try at home, and stay up-to-date on our latest events!