Dysphagia
at CST Academy

Safe Swallowing. Nourishing Progress. Confident Mealtimes.

At CST Academy, our feeding therapy services for dysphagia are designed to support children who struggle with swallowing and oral motor skills. We help families navigate feeding challenges with care, expertise, and a collaborative approach. Whether your child has trouble chewing, experiences coughing during meals, or avoids certain textures, our team is here to make eating safer, more enjoyable, and developmentally appropriate.

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What Is Pediatric Dysphagia?

Dysphagia refers to difficulty with swallowing safely and effectively. In children, it may involve trouble managing different food textures, frequent choking or gagging, food refusal, or aspiration risks. At CST Academy, we develop personalized treatment plans to strengthen oral motor skills, improve mealtime safety, and ensure children are getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.

Our feeding therapists use evidence-informed techniques, therapeutic exercises, and mealtime strategies that are playful, gentle, and tailored to each child’s needs.

Why Choose CST Academy for Dysphagia Support?

At CST Academy, we offer more than just feeding therapy—we offer a multidisciplinary support system. Our feeding therapists collaborate daily with occupational, speech, ABA, and physical therapists to create a comprehensive plan that addresses the whole child. This integration helps promote faster and more lasting progress.

We also involve parents in every step of the journey. With real-time updates, hands-on coaching, and home-based strategies, we ensure that families feel empowered, supported, and informed.

The CST Academy Difference

Choosing the right feeding therapy provider for dysphagia means finding a team that understands both the medical and emotional sides of feeding challenges. At CST Academy, we create a supportive, low-pressure environment where children feel safe exploring new foods and building essential oral motor skills. With experienced therapists, personalized care plans, and close collaboration with families and other specialists, we help children move toward safer, more confident eating—one step at a time.

Licensed Feeding Therapists with Pediatric Expertise

Our therapists are trained in evaluating and treating pediatric dysphagia, with deep experience supporting children with medical, developmental, or sensory-based feeding challenges.

Individualized, Family-Centered Plans

We collaborate with caregivers to develop a customized plan that fits your child’s unique strengths, sensitivities, and health considerations.

Fun, Motivating, and Safe Feeding Sessions

Therapy should never feel like pressure. We use gentle, play-based techniques that reduce anxiety and create positive associations with eating.

Coordinated Care Under One Roof

Feeding therapy at CST Academy is part of an integrated care model. Children can benefit from co-treatment with speech, OT, PT, and behavioral specialists—maximizing success.

Helping Your Child Eat Safely and Confidently

At CST Academy, our dysphagia services support a range of oral motor and swallowing challenges. Here are just a few of the skills we work on:

Oral Motor Strength & Coordination

We help children build the strength and coordination needed for safe chewing and swallowing. Through targeted exercises and play-based therapy, we develop the muscles involved in jaw control, tongue movement, and lip closure—key components of effective and safe eating.

Safe Swallowing Techniques

Our therapists work closely with children to teach safe swallowing strategies and reduce the risk of aspiration. Using gentle, evidence-based approaches, we help children become more aware of their swallowing process and build lifelong habits that promote mealtime safety.

Managing Food Textures & Consistencies

Children with dysphagia often struggle with certain food textures. We carefully introduce a variety of textures at a pace that matches your child’s comfort and ability, gradually expanding their diet while ensuring safety and success with every new bite.

Reducing Mealtime Anxiety

Feeding difficulties can cause frustration and fear. At CST Academy, we create a calm and predictable mealtime environment where children can build positive associations with eating—boosting their confidence and making meals more enjoyable for the whole family.

Developing Pacing & Self-Regulation

Many children with dysphagia need help learning how to pace themselves during meals. We teach children how to take appropriate bites, pause between swallows, and recognize when they need to slow down, which reduces fatigue and improves safety.

Encouraging Independence with Feeding Tools

We support children in using utensils, cups, and straws to increase their independence during meals. With the right adaptations and guided practice, children can become more confident, capable, and empowered at the table.

Start Your Journey with CST Academy Today

Getting started is easy. Our team is here to listen, guide, and create a care plan tailored to your child and your family.

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When to Seek Support for Dysphagia

If you’re noticing challenges during mealtime, it may be time to explore a dysphagia evaluation. Early intervention can reduce stress, prevent complications, and help your child eat safely and confidently.

Coughing or Choking While Eating or Drinking

Frequent coughing, gagging, or choking episodes during meals may signal swallowing difficulties that require professional assessment and support.

Refusing Certain Textures or Food Groups

Children with dysphagia often avoid specific textures—such as crunchy, chewy, or mixed-consistency foods—because they’re difficult to manage or uncomfortable to swallow.

Long Mealtimes or Fatigue During Eating

If your child consistently takes a long time to finish meals or seems exhausted by eating, they may be working too hard to chew and swallow safely.

Unexplained Weight Loss or Poor Growth

Inadequate nutrition from limited intake or inefficient swallowing can lead to poor weight gain or growth delays—an important reason to seek help.

Frequent Respiratory Infections or Congestion

Swallowing difficulties can lead to food or liquid entering the airway, increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia or chronic congestion.

Arching, Crying, or Discomfort During Feeding

Discomfort or distress during meals—such as arching the back, turning away, or crying—may reflect underlying oral motor or swallowing challenges.

A Place Where Mealtimes Become Moments of Growth

At CST Academy, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, confident, and supported at the table. Our feeding therapy program is designed not only to address the challenges of dysphagia but to celebrate each child’s unique strengths, preferences, and pace of development.

We understand that mealtime can be one of the most emotional parts of the day for families—filled with worries, hopes, and sometimes frustration. That’s why we create a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to explore, build trust, and develop the skills they need for safe and joyful eating. With patience, expertise, and compassion, we work side by side with families to turn everyday meals into empowering, positive experiences.

Real Stories from Families Navigating Feeding Challenges

Our daughter struggled with swallowing from an early age, and every meal came with anxiety. CST Academy’s team gave us a clear plan and constant reassurance. Today, she eats safely and confidently—and mealtimes are no longer a source of stress.

– Elena R.

We knew something wasn’t right when our toddler was gagging on soft foods. CST Academy stepped in with compassion and expertise, helping us understand dysphagia and making real progress. We’re so grateful we didn’t wait.

– Marcus L.

Finding the right team for feeding therapy felt overwhelming, but CST Academy made it easy. They explained everything, involved us at every step, and treated our son with kindness and patience. It’s been life-changing for our family.

– Priyanka D.

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5-Star Google Reviews

Supporting Safe Swallowing with CST Academy’s Feeding Therapy for Dysphagia

Helping Children Eat Safely, Confidently, and Comfortably

At CST Academy, our Feeding Therapy program provides expert support for children experiencing dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties. Our experienced therapists use evidence-based techniques to strengthen oral motor skills, reduce aspiration risks, and improve mealtime safety. With a collaborative and individualized approach, CST Academy ensures each child receives compassionate care tailored to their unique needs—empowering safer, happier feeding experiences at every stage.

Feeding Therapy