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Intervention at FOCUS for Mealtime Success works to address the foundational areas that are required for successful eating. Eating is a complex and multisystem skill, so FOCUS practitioners believe it is not helpful to target treatments solely on the individual’s mouth, but to consider the child’s entire body and all environmental, contextual, physical, and psychological factors as part of a collaborative and systematic approach to treatment.
Each therapeutic treatment program is based on the individual needs of the child and is tailored to meet the family’s unique goals. A combination of whole-body work and targeted oral motor skill work is included throughout the course of treatment. Treatment goals may include strengthening the postural muscles necessary for eating, increasing strength and control of different oral structures necessary for eating, decreasing oral sensitivities, and working towards exploration with food to expand food repertoire.
In addition to these specific goal areas, other areas addressed on an ongoing basis include environmental set-up, food preparation skills, and promotion of organization and regulation during mealtime.
Individual therapy works to address the foundational areas required for successful eating. Occupational therapists at FOCUS for Mealtime Success have specialized training and utilize the FOCUS Program, a whole-body, systematic approach developed to address the complex and multifaceted needs of clients who experience challenges around mealtime.
Eating is a complex and multisystem skill, so FOCUS practitioners believe it is not helpful to target treatments solely on the individual’s mouth, but to consider the individual’s whole body and all environmental, contextual, physical, and psychological factors as part of a collaborative and systematic approach to treatment. Each therapeutic treatment program is based on the individual needs of the client and is tailored to meet the individual’s unique goals. A combination of whole-body work and targeted oral motor skill work is included throughout the course of treatment.
Treatment goals may include strengthening the postural muscles necessary for eating, increasing strength and control of different oral structures necessary for eating, decreasing oral sensitivities, and working towards exploration with food to expand food repertoire. In addition to these specific goal areas, other areas addressed on an ongoing basis include environmental set-up, food preparation skills, and promoting organization and regulation during mealtime.
Many adults experience eating difficulties brought on by physical, sensory, and psychological factors. Restrictive eating patterns impact an individual’s social, emotional, and dietary well-being and can lead to more serious complications. Challenges related to selectivity or sensitivity, gagging or swallowing reactions, vomiting, heightened social stress, and oral motor skills are common for clients with underlying sensory and motor limitations.
At FOCUS for Mealtime Success, comprehensive assessment, treatment, and education are provided by occupational therapists that are highly skilled in identifying and addressing the challenges that trigger mealtime problems. We strive to help individuals who have eating difficulties develop successful mealtime patterns through compassionate care, systematic assessment of all underlying issues, and whole-body intervention.
FOCUS systematically and comprehensively evaluates and provides intervention for all underlying sensory and motor challenges that contribute to mealtime in order to build a customized treatment plan.
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My son has been getting speech and occupational therapy from OTA for almost six years, and they've helped him make great progress during that time. He currently sees Chanlynn and Anna who are excellent, but everyone there is very skilled. He has a lot of fun there too as he's learning and growing.
We’ve been part of OTA for several years but most recently worked with Anna R. She’s the best! Engaging, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and has our son’s best interests and growth potential at heart. She continues to work wonders with him and we couldn’t be happier!
My son has been going to Koomar Center for the last 4 years and loves it. He has seen Melissa and Erica and really enjoyed working with both therapist. He is excited to go every week and has an awesome progress. Even during pandemic they have found a way to keep OT going and had done an incredible job engaging via ZOOM. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Between the speech therapist, and the OT department they are literally changing the course of my child’s life for the better. My son loves OTA! He has grown so much and has a great time with Anna R. She keeps things fun, communicates well with parents and helps us work through issues as they arise. We are very thankful to have found OTA! Jake is awesome. He’s a great OT and we have lots of fun. I’ve had Jake as my OT for more than a year and am making lots of progress. We love our therapist Margaret! She is really knowledgeable and helpful. She is kind to my child and works with her at her age appropriate level. The space is really engaging and inventive as well. I’ve never seen anything like it! We love our therapist Margaret! She is really knowledgeable and helpful. She is kind to my child and works with her at her age appropriate level. The space is really engaging and inventive as well. I’ve never seen anything like it! We love OTA. The therapists are fantastic and the space is beautiful. Our son has been doing speech therapy at OTA for many years (8 of his 12!) and we have nothing but 100% positive things to say. We love OTA. We first learned about it through my son’s school after we noticed he has some difficulties around sensory input and lack of ability to focus. We have been there for almost two years now and I can see a big change in the way he acts at school and at home. I know he will be in good hands going into Kindergarten next year. Our 10yo loves going to OTA for his therapy appointments. He skips to the building and jumps up when his therapist comes to get him. We’re so grateful for OTA! We have been very satisfied with the speech and OT services at OTA. The therapists are not only highly qualified, they work to build a strong report with my kids and our family. We’ve been very grateful for the staff as well, who respond quickly to book or change appointments. Even though COVID they have provided consistent and responsive service. I have a fun time at OTA and some of my favorite therapists are Diana, Erica, Vannida and Karli. I like them because they make doing speech and OT more fun than the stuff at school. Professional and punctual administrative team and attractive facility. But what makes this place special is the people who work with clients. We've worked with a number of different SLPs and OTs and all have been knowledgeable, empathetic, creative and thoughtful. If you can get on Jennie S's and Emma's schedules, do it! We ADORE Andrea. My son looks forward to his weekly visits with her and has made incredible progress since starting with her. Jennie Schofield has a part of our lives for over 6 years, and has been so helpful to our child and also to us as parents! Great location and facilities, saw exponential growth in our child. He looked forward to each session, nothing but a positive experience. Every visit that I’ve ever had at OTA has been great. Pleasant experience every time. My son loved coming there! JEN is the best. My son typically hates therapies but asks to go every week and is upset when we miss a session. My daughter goes here for her speech therapy and her therapist is amazing. Connect with a compassionate therapist who’s dedicated to fostering patient development in a welcoming environment.
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