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Feeding, Swallowing & Nutritional Therapy

LifeScape offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach for evaluation and treatment of feeding and swallowing disorders. Our feeding clinic can help identify the specific challenges your child may be having with feeding and offer a wide variety of program options to meet the unique needs of your child. 

  • Multidisciplinary Approach
  • Caregiver Training Provided
  • Customized Treatment Plans
  • Advanced Therapist Training
  • Multiple Program Options
  • State’s First Certified Swallowing Expert

The LifeScape Advantage: Treatment Options

At LifeScape, South Dakota’s first Board Certified Speech-Language Pathologist in Swallowing Disorders leads a multidisciplinary team of therapists, trained in a variety of therapy approaches. We thoroughly assess your child’s oral motor skills, sensory challenges, self-feeding skills, and behavior to develop comprehensive treatment plans. Our unique approach addresses the root cause of feeding issues, achieving significant results, and promoting healthier families. Whether your child is a picky eater, has food group aversions, or needs transitioning from tube-feeding, we can help. Call (605) 444-9778 for a Free Feeding Screening today!

Outpatient Program

Recommended for patients who have feeding and swallowing difficulties that can be managed and treated with a frequency of one to three therapy treatments per week. Many patients begin here and transition to a more intensive program. Outpatient feeding therapy is available at LifeScape in Rapid City, SD; and three locations in Sioux Falls - at our Rehabilitation Center, Autism & Child Development Center, and Children's Specialty Hospital.

Intensive Day Program

This 2–4-week program at LifeScape's Children Specialty Hospital is recommended for patients who may not need round-the-clock medical attention, but have feeding difficulties that are severe enough to warrant high-frequency therapy. Speech and occupational therapy sessions will take place three to four times a day, five days a week. The patient has a room in the specialty hospital to use as a base between therapy sessions for the duration of his/her treatment.

Intensive Inpatient Program

This 2–8-week program is recommended for children with severe feeding difficulties (feeding tube dependence, malnutrition, total food refusal) who may have higher medical needs or a need for close monitoring by medical professionals. May be recommended for patients who are ready for tube weaning or have trialed outpatient therapy with little success. This program involves evaluation and monitoring by a gastrointestinal physician as well as oversight by a pediatrician. Private and semi-private rooms at Children's Specialty Hospital at LifeScape can accommodate a parent or guardian who wishes to stay with their child.

Who We Serve

Our team can help patients who have difficulty with any of the following:

  • Transitioning from tube to oral feeding
  • Bottling skills
  • Consistent mealtime acceptance
  • Weight gain
  • Behavioral challenges during mealtimes
  • Food variety
  • Oral motor skills for feeding and swallowing
  • Developmental skills for feeding-self feeding, cup, and utensil use

We also provide caregiver training for carryover into the home setting.

Our Feeding & Swallowing Team

The types of professionals involved will vary depending on your child’s unique needs:

  • Speech-language pathologists, including the state's only certified clinician in swallowing and swallowing disorders
  • Occupational therapists
  • Dietician
  • Psychologist

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the patient’s needs, but an example of a schedule would be three to five sessions a day for 30 to 45 minutes per session.

This also varies according to patient needs and goals, but typically lasts two to five weeks. A weekly conference is held with the family to discuss progress and next steps.

To support your child by completing home programming that is recommended by the therapists, as well as to be an active participant in therapy sessions and feeding in general.

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