Feeding difficulties and oral motor delays
Trouble sucking, chewing, or moving food around the mouth. We build the strength and coordination eating depends on.
Oral motor = how the mouth moves
Pediatric feeding therapy · Fort Worth, TX
Supporting healthy eating. Building happy feeders.
We partner with families and healthcare providers to help children build safe, positive, confident feeding skills, from their first bites to a lifetime of good nutrition.
- 12 years of hospital experience
- Micro preemie, inpatient and outpatient
- In-person in Fort Worth
What we treat
Feeding challenges, explained in plain words
Feeding is a skill, and skills can be built. Here is what we work on, with the medical term and what it means at your table.
Picky and selective eating
A short list of accepted foods, or mealtimes that end in tears. Beyond the usual toddler phase, and very workable.
Selective = a narrow range of foodsFood aversions requiring feeding tubes
When a child relies on a feeding tube and has learned to avoid eating by mouth. We make food feel safe again, one small step at a time.
Aversion = strong avoidance of foodWeaning from tube feeds
Building the skills, appetite, and confidence to move toward eating by mouth, in step with your child's medical team.
Weaning = a gradual move off the tubeBreastfeeding and lactation support
Latch, milk transfer, and bottle-feeding questions, answered by a lactation counselor who is also a speech-language pathologist.
Lactation = making and feeding milkDysphagia
Coughing, choking, or stress during feeds. Swallow safety comes first, then we build the skills for comfortable eating and drinking.
Dysphagia = difficulty swallowingARFID
Eating very little, or a very narrow range, often tied to sensory sensitivity or fear of choking or vomiting. It is more than picky eating.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Every child's feeding journey is unique
Not sure which of these fits? Start with a conversation. We will help you work out the next step.
Say hello
Signs to look for
When to consider a feeding evaluation
This is the checklist we share with pediatric providers, open to parents too. Tick anything that sounds familiar.
0 signs selected
Tick anything that sounds familiar.
This checklist is a guide, not a diagnosis. Even one feeding concern is a good reason to reach out. An evaluation can help identify the underlying needs and appropriate support.
If a child is choking, struggling to breathe, or turning blue during a feed, call 911 right away.
What to expect
A clear path from first visit to confident mealtimes
Every step is built around your child and explained along the way.
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1
Comprehensive evaluation
We assess oral motor skills, swallow safety, sensory needs, and overall feeding development.
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2
Individualized plan
We create a personalized treatment plan with clear goals and measurable progress.
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3
Hands-on therapy
Play-based, functional strategies build skills and positive mealtime experiences.
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4
Collaborative care
We keep referring providers informed and work closely with families to ensure the best outcomes.
12yearsof hospital experience
Meet Kristen
Kristen Gaffney
- Speech-language pathologist
- Pediatric feeding specialist
- Lactation counselor
I'm Kristen, a speech-language pathologist with 12 years of experience treating children with feeding disorders in the hospital setting.
I am passionate about helping babies and children develop safe, positive, and successful feeding skills so they can thrive at home, at school, and in their everyday lives.
Happy Feeders. Joyful Mealtimes.
Hospital experience
Micro preemie, inpatient, and outpatient settings.
Comprehensive care
Evidence-based, family-centered, individualized.
Multi-disciplinary collaboration
Works closely with medical teams, dietitians, OT/PT, and lactation.
Specialized skills
Feeding therapy, oral motor, swallowing, tube weaning, and dysphagia.
My specialized skills
- Feeding and swallowing disorders
- Infant and pediatric feeding, including Micro preemie and complex medical conditions
- Bottle and breast feeding support
- Oral motor development and coordination
- Tube feeding and transition to oral feeds
- Pediatric dysphagia (swallowing difficulties)
- ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder)
- Lactation support and counseling
- Parent education and home program development
- Play-based, developmentally appropriate therapy
My approach
I believe every child is unique. My approach combines clinical expertise with compassion, trust, and collaboration. I take the time to listen, understand each child's history, and create a personalized treatment plan that meets their specific needs, while supporting and empowering families along the way.
"Feeding is more than nutrition. It's connection, confidence, and joy."
Get in touch
Let's talk about your child's mealtimes
Call or email Kristen to ask a question, start a referral, or find out whether feeding therapy is the right fit.
Website
www.thefeedingspot.comLocation
Fort Worth, TXIn-person services
Let's work together for healthier habits, happier mealtimes, and long-term success.
For providers
Referring a patient to the Feeding Spot
We partner with families and healthcare providers. Early referral can support safer, more positive feeding experiences, and you stay informed throughout care.
- 1Discuss feeding concerns with the family.
- 2Obtain family consent and send a referral with relevant medical and feeding history.
- 3Contact the Feeding Spot to coordinate care.
Pediatric feeding therapy
Investment & Payment
Clear, straightforward pricing for individualized care that supports healthy eating, growth, and development.
Comprehensive Evaluation
$300
A thorough evaluation to understand your child's feeding skills, medical and developmental history, and individual needs. The evaluation includes caregiver interview, clinical assessment, and a detailed, individualized plan of care with recommendations.
45-Minute Therapy Session
$120
Individualized, evidence-based therapy sessions to support your child's feeding skills, expand food repertoire, and create positive mealtime experiences. Caregivers are actively involved to help build skills between sessions.
30-Minute Therapy Session
$80
A focused, individualized therapy session designed to address specific feeding goals and provide practical guidance for continued progress at home.
Payment Information
- Payment is due at the time of service.
- We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards.
- An itemized receipt (superbill) can be provided for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
Insurance
The Feeding Spot is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance. Many families choose to use out-of-network benefits. We are happy to provide a superbill upon request. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to learn more about your specific out-of-network benefits.