Understanding Oral Placement Therapy – Complete Guide TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy • Speech Clarity • Feeding Support Multisensory Tactile + Visual + Auditory Hierarchy-Based Understanding Oral Placement Therapy (OPT): Evidence-Based Speech & Feeding Intervention A comprehensive guide to improving speech clarity, feeding skills, and oral motor function through targeted tactile-proprioceptive techniques. Designed for families, clinicians, […]
Is Your Child Struggling to Transition to Solids?
Starting solids is exciting; however, gagging can make meals feel tense. Fortunately, occasional gagging is a normal part of learning new textures, and most babies improve as skills mature. According to the CDC, many babies can begin solids around 6 months, and gradual texture changes help them succeed—especially when portions are small and developmentally appropriate […]
The Talk: Why Is My Toddler Gagging or Spitting Out Food?
Welcome back to The Talk with April Anderson—our monthly series designed to equip feeding therapy professionals with practical strategies, family-centered tools, and evidence-based insights. In this week’s edition, we’re diving into a concern many families bring up in therapy sessions: toddlers gagging or spitting out food. While this behavior can feel alarming for caregivers, it’s […]
The Talk: Strategies to Support Picky Eating: Guidance for Feeding Therapy Professionals
Welcome to The Talk with April Anderson—a monthly series where we share practical insights, professional strategies, and family-centered tools to support positive feeding experiences. This month, we’re diving into one of the most common concerns families bring to therapy: picky eating. While frustrating at times, picky eating can be a stepping stone to building resilience, […]
Ask A Therapist: Sensory Feeding for an Infant with Medical Issues
Dear Lori, I attended the Sensory Feeding Course in England in June, and would like to thank you for a full two days of professional input. Before I left Manchester, I had already thought of how I was going to utilize some of the techniques in my therapy sessions. You had mentioned that you would not mind […]
Ask a Therapist: Down Syndrome Program Plan
Hi Lori, I recently took your “Feeding Therapy: A Sensory-Motor Approach” workshop and it was great!! In the past year I’ve completed the “Oral-Motor Therapy: Assessment & Program Plan Development” DVD as well and started volunteering with the local Down Syndrome Association to practice what I’ve learned. My current client is a 4 year old boy […]
Ask a Therapist: Considerations for Altering Diets
Hi Ms. Lori Overland, I am an Occupational Therapist from Chicago. However, I am now working in Australia as an OT. I have always been interested in setting up a feeding program here and therefore began viewing your course. I just love how you integrate a child’s individual sensory needs into their personal feeding program! I […]
Ask a Therapist: Feeding Issue with Child who has Beckwith Wiedmann Syndrome
Dear Lori, My child who is 2 1/2 years old was diagnosed with Autism and Beckwith Wiedemann at 1 1/2 and is receiving Early Intervention and making great improvement. His greatest issue is feeding: he eats all foods as long as they are smashed; when he bites into anything his tongue kicks the food back out and […]
Ask A Therapist: Nutritive Feeding for Charge Syndrome
I have a 4 year old student with CHARGE SYNDROME. He has minimal intake and could be looking at a feeding tube if this declines any more. Mom is totally fighting with him (holding one hand with her mouth, the other with her non-feeding hand and then spoon feeding with the other!). Feedings take at […]