Arizona Licensed, Professional Feeding and Swallowing Therapy Services For Children & Adults
Feeding Therapy
Feeding disorders include a range of eating difficulties that may or may not include problems with swallowing. Signs that someone may be suffering from a feeding or swallowing disorder can include:
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Children who cry or fuss when feeding
- Difficulty with breast or bottle feeding
- Children who arch their back or stiffens when nursing or bottle feeding
- Excessive gas or spit up
- Constipation or runny stools with unusual color/odor
- A child or young adult is not gaining weight or growing
- Falls asleep when feeding
- Eats only certain textures, brands or colors of food
- Trouble breathing while eating and drinking
- Coughs or gags during meals
- Drooling
- Gurgly, hoarse, or breathy voice during or after meals
- Takes an excessively long time to eat
- Accepts and enjoys less than 10 food items
How I can help
Laura Fuller is an Arizona Department of Health Services licensed Speech Language Pathologist (MS, CCC-SLP ) specializing in the treatment of feeding and swallowing disorders. As a preferred provider for the Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities (AZ DDD), she can provide the assessment to receive ongoing feeding therapy services from the AZ DDD. Both the initial evaluation and recurring feeding therapy services can take place in the comfort of your own home. Since 2015, Laura has worked with both children and adults who are experiencing a feeding and swallowing disorder associated with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Down Syndrome
- Dysarthria (weak muscle tone)
- Dysphagia
- Neurological/ Oral-Motor Disorders
- Selective “Picky” Eaters
My Approach
Every client is unique and has potential to become the best version of themselves. We all have challenges in between where we are now and our best self. As a feeding and speech therapist, I teach communication, life and feeding skills that enable my clients to become more independent, connected, healthier and capable. I use a team approach to set therapy practices and goals. My team often includes the client’s parents, spouse, caregiver, guardian, outside medical professionals and educators.
Certifications
Licensure and Certification
- Arizona Department of Health Services – Speech Language Pathologist
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ASHA – CCC-SLP
- American Heart Association – CPR/AED Certified
- Arizona Department of Public Safety – Fingerprint Clearance
- Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities – Article 9
Education
- East Carolina University- Master of Science in Communication Disorders
- Arizona State University- Bachelors of Science in Speech and Hearing
- Phoenix Community College- American Sign Language Interpreting
Continuing Education
- Pediatric Dysphagia
- Picky Eating Through the Lens of Orofacial Myology
- Feeding Development: What is Typical?
- Management of Behaviors During Feeding and Swallowing Intervention
- Feeding Therapy: It’s Not Just About Swallowing – Melanie Potock
- Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children
- Treating Childhood Apraxia