Learning to bite and chew

T was born extremely premature at twenty six weeks gestation. He was ventilated for three weeks and tube fed for three months which later led to his oral sensitivities.

As a baby T, did not mouth toys, refused a dummy and would not transition to bottle feeding. When he started weaning, he would frequently gag and vomit. T ate pureed foods up until the age of six years.

T was an active toddler who had frequent overload, meltdowns and found sleeping challenging. He would often wake several times during the night and scream for hours. T has an older sibling so Mum and Dad knew something was not quite right.

After many years of going around in circles with paediatricians, dieticians, speech and language, mum and dad saw an advertisement in a local paper for an open day at our Aycliffe clinic. As soon as mum and dad walked through the door at Tree Tops, they said they felt supported and understood. Immediately the team identified T’s behaviours and had him bouncing on the trampoline and squishing him with a therapy peanut ball. T walked out a lot calmer!

Mum and Dad decided to organise an assessment with us. T was then diagnosed with SPD and Dyspraxia at his assessment. T then attended weekly treatment sessions with us and followed a sensory diet at home. He became a lot calmer and his sleep improved.

After attending for sensory integration therapy, T then progressed to feeding therapy with us. Mum explained she thought Tree Tops was amazing and not only taught T to bite and chew but also exercises to do to come to the table in a ready state to eat.

T’s favorite food is now pizza! He is still working on speed and it still takes him longer to eat but he has made amazing progress and mum says, it is thanks to Tree Tops.

Well done T!