Feeding Therapy
At Monkey Mouths, we believe that successful feeding therapy requires a thorough evaluation. We review medical concerns and medical history and inspect for safety. We understand feeding development and analyze oral-motor skills during feeding and non-feeding activities. We review the child’s current diet for both sensory and motor concerns. We both question and probe for potential behavioral components. In short, we observe all components of feeding and swallowing.
Once we figure out what all is affecting feeding, we can develop a plan specific for you and your child.
Monkey Mouths Specialized Approach to Feeding and Swallowing Evaluations:
Specialized Feeding Treatment Techniques
Oral-Myofunctional Techniques:
Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
OMT SpecialtyTraining by Patricia Gurinsky M.S., CCC-SLP/OMT
Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Training
FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF TETHERED ORAL TISSUES (TOTS) by Lori Overland M.S., CCC-SLP
Simon Says Tongue Tips and Tiny Tongue Tips
Oral Motor/Feeding Techniques:
Vital Stim and Ampcare (NMES Therapy)(Providers in all 6 locations)
CAN-EAT Approach (medical, motor, and behavioral strategies in pediatric feeding)
Sensory-Motor Feeding by Lori Overland
Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Program (S.O.S. Feeding Therapy)
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)(Currently scoping infants to young adults in the Ft Worth location)
Deborah Beckman, M.S., CCC-SLP
Marsha Dunn Klein Med, OTR
Catherine Shaker M.S., CCC-SLP
Myofacial Release for dysphagia and voice
Rona Alexander PhD, CCC-SLP–Dysphagia
Jeri Logemann PhD, CCC-SLP–Dysphagia
Marjorie Meyer Palmer M.S., CCC-SLP
What is Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)?
Monkey Mouths is the only pediatric private practice in Texas that performs fiberoptic endoscopic evaluations of swallowing (FEES studies). This radiation-free test is the safer, more comfortable alternative to a modified barium swallow study performed in a hospital setting.
FEES is used to evaluate your child’s swallowing abilities. It is an accurate and safe way to gain information that involves passing a flexible endoscope through your child’s nose into the throat to directly see all structures after numbing the nose with nasal spray to minimize pain or discomfort. During the study, your child will be asked to speak so that the movement of the structures can be observed. After that, your child will be asked to eat and drink food so that his/her swallowing ability can be observed. The study generally takes less than 30 minutes to complete. After the study is complete, the speech pathologist will give you and your child recommendations for how to improve the safety and timing of the swallow as well as recommendations for your child’s diet.
Why does Monkey Mouths use FEES?
It can be done in our office instead of a hospital
It is less expensive than a Modified Barium
Swallow Study (MBSS)
It does not expose your child to radiation
It is the most direct way to view your child’s swallowing and voicing
Your child’s normal foods can be used to test swallowing ability
Do I need a prescription from my physician for a FEES study?
Yes. Although a speech-pathologist can practice independently, Monkey Mouths does require that a prescription be obtained from your physician for a FEES study. After speaking with you on the phone, we will make recommendations to your physician as to whether or not FEES is an appropriate evaluation tool for your child. We will also want your physician to recommend medications as necessary for the study. After the study, we will want to coordinate care and/or additional referrals with your physician.
Is FEES covered by my insurance?
Many insurance companies recognize FEES as their preferred method for swallow evaluation. That being said, we have a limited number of insurance companies that we are currently in network with. For other families, we do have an affordable time-of-service option of $250.
