Royersford Therapist Offers Food Refusal Therapy For Children

ROYERSFORD, PA —Not everyone likes, or even tries, the traditional Thanksgiving feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

In fact, parents of children with food refusal issues may end up having to drive to fast food restaurants on Thanksgiving to pick up dinner for a picky eater.

Picky eaters create challenges for parents, especially at this time of year when families are having large gatherings at home.

Focused Approach, a new business based in Royersford, provides specialized children's services and programs with an initial concentration on feeding therapy.

"Focused on Feeding" program delivers transformative care for children six months through 16 years old,” Dena Kelly, founder of the program, said. “The therapy can improve mealtime for families.”

Kelly, a behavior analyst and licensed professional counselor, provides treatment plans for families and workshops for professionals.

A success story

"Focused Approach saved my 12-year-old daughter's life — taking her from hospitalization for malnutrition and requiring an NG tube to sustain her body, to over 2,000 calories per day orally in a matter of weeks," said Carolyn Witrock.

Kelly said the program is for children who get stuck in what they will eat. She noted that some children will only eat specific food groups and brands.

As an example of the treatment, Kelly said she is helping a child who requires the use of a feeding tube to eat due to his selectivity of specific foods.

Kelly said that children with these issues will benefit from therapy:

• Difficult in chewing and swallowing
• Extreme pickiness and reluctant to try new food
• Delayed self-feeding tools
• Gagging, vomiting, or heightened emotions during meals.
• Difficulty transitioning to solid food.

More information is available here or by calling 484-898-3333.