Typically developing children as well as children with developmental delays or disabilities are at risk for developing problems with some aspect of feeding, eating, or swallowing. Optimal functioning in these activities of daily living is essential for survival and quality of life; however, limited access to clinicians who specialize in feeding therapy should ideally have supplementary training in oral motor, sensory, and behavioral techniques. Research shows that these techniques produce optimal outcomes when used in combination to assess and treat children with feeding, eating, and swallowing problems. The available evidence for feeding therapy was appraised and used to formulate a business plan for an evidence-based feeding clinic that will serve the North Front Range in Colorado. This business plan was then presented to a feeding specialist, who owns a private practice and provides continuing education internationally on oral motor techniques, for feedback to strengthen the business plan.
