Vision

Kidworks' Food Lab was created to help children achieve age appropriate feeding skills needed for adequate growth and nutrition in a fun and non-threatening environment.

How

Food Lab offers a comprehensive evaluation and group treatment sessions for your child's feeding skills including his/her oral motor skills, fine motor skills, sensory processing skills, positioning and behavioral components which relate to feeding.

What to Expect

Your child will be in a group setting of 5-6 children.  It will be a fun and relaxing atmosphere where they can interact with other children their age.  The group is co-led by an Occupational Therapist and a Speech Language Pathologist who have been trained in top rated feeding programs including Kay Toomey's S.O.S. Approach to Feeding and Food Chaining by Sherri Fraker.  Each session will consist of a sensory motor warm-up, oral motor and desensitization techniques and then followed by interaction with food items at each child's individualized level. The therapists will use a combination of feeding programs and techniques to match your child's unique and individualized needs.

Food Lab Therapists

Vanessa Bartos, M.H.S., CCC-SLP, Food Lab Lead

"I have 10 years of experience in working with children in both private and educational settings.  I have had the opportunity to work with children of all ages and disabilities, with a particular interest in sensory based feeding disorders, and dysphagia.  I also enjoy working with families to encourage, and assist with the transition from tube feedings to oral intake."

Molly Shannon, M.S., OTR/L

"I have been a pediatric occupational therapist for the past 10 years.  I have worked in early intervention, pediatric development clinics and in the school system.  I have worked with a variety of pediatric disorders and I have specialized in sensory based processing disorders."