Food Exploring Speech PLLC specializes in “discovering tastes for picky plates” as well as
- Speech Language Evaluations
- Speech Language Therapy
- Stuttering Therapy
- Feeding & Swallowing Evaluations
- Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)
- Food Exploring & Feeding therapy
- Caregiver Coaching Sessions
As a former SLP within a special education preschool for 10 years, I have seen the increasing need to empower children in their ability to explore and enjoy food. My practice offers comprehensive speech and language services, with a special focus on supporting children who experience feeding challenges (newborns+), sensory sensitivities, or picky eating behaviors. My goal is to present food in a low-pressure environment, in an individual and/or small group setting, that fosters positive experiences, ultimately encouraging the individual to expand their food repertoire.
Also, as an SLP who stutters, I’m passionate about providing client-centered support that empowers individuals who stutter, as well as the families and professionals who support them. Services are provided through training, education, and therapy that’s rooted in empathy, lived experience, and evidence-based practice.
About Me
Regina Lleras M.S. CCC-SLP
I’m a certified speech language pathologist with over 15 years of diverse experience from in home, clinical and preschool / school based therapy settings. I specialize in feeding and stuttering therapy.
As a young child, I received speech language therapy for stuttering and stutter intermittently today. My relationship with stuttering was sometimes a little “bumpy” but I’m so thankful it is part of my story since it has led me to where I am today! I was also a bit of a picky eater! I’m fortunate to have my experiences guide my career passion in helping others communicate and expand their relationship with new foods!
I offer personalized, compassionate support for picky, sensory sensitive and/or anxious eaters by guiding children through food exploration, expanding their food variety, and fostering positive mealtime habits.
My therapy is a family centered approach by collaborating closely with the client and family to create a treatment plan that addresses each individual need, as well as connecting carryover to the home and community environments.
I also enjoy speaking at professional events, such as college programs and school districts, to talk about feeding / food exploring and stuttering.
Stuttering
- Neurodiversity (say the word
fluencystuttering) - How to be a Stuttering Ally
- Stuttering Therapy Goals
- School (self-advocacy, peer interactions, ways to participate)
- Professional / Work-based (mock interviews, team meetings, disclosure and advocacy)
- Community (ordering food, making phone calls, asking questions etc.)
- Stuttering Resources
Speech Language
- Articulation / Phonology (PROMPT trained)
- Tongue Thrusts / Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)
- AAC / iPad communication therapy & programing
- Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)
- Expressive language skills (responding to questions, vocabulary development, sentence development)
- Receptive language skills (following directives, processing skills)
- Pragmatic / Social language skills
Food Exploring
- Review the Steps to Eating
- Use visuals and various tools / manipulatives to make exploring food a fun experience
- Introducing solids
Feeding/Swallowing
- Assess Oral Motor Skills
- Techniques to improve biting and chewing
- Strategies to modify food textures or eating habits to make swallowing easier and safer
- Support for straw and cup drinking
- Support for pill swallowing
Parent Training / Coaching
- Review Division of Responsibility
- Set up for success before mealtimes
- Strategies on how to present preferred and non-preferred food items
- Tips to avoid food jags
- Food Chaining
- Beginning Solids
- Bottle/Breastfeeding
- Provide referrals for additional support (OTs, PTs, vision therapists, airway-centric dentists, ENTs, or oral surgeons)
- Collaborate with specialists to further assess functional impact of Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)
We take a food exploring journey based on Dr. Kay Toomey’s Steps to Eating SOS Approach (Sequential Oral Sensory). It is a widely recognized method for helping children develop healthy eating habits, particularly those who struggle with food aversions, sensory sensitivities, or feeding difficulties. The approach focuses on helping children become comfortable with food in a step-by-step manner, addressing both the sensory and emotional aspects of eating. It is commonly used in therapy and with children who have difficulties with feeding, eating, or food acceptance. This approach is modified to meet the overall feeding needs of each food explorer.
The “division of responsibility” in feeding, developed by Ellyn Satter, is a strategy where parents are responsible for what, when, and where a child is offered food, while the child is responsible for how much and whether to eat it, helping them develop healthy eating habits.
“I highly recommend Ms. Regina Lleras for her exceptional work with my 4-year-old child in feeding therapy. Her use of themed activities, such as playful food-related games and social stories about mealtime, made each session engaging and enjoyable. She skillfully tailored her approach to fit my child’s current level of functioning, setting realistic and achievable goals that encouraged gradual progress. Ms. Regina demonstrated a keen understanding of behavior management, employing positive reinforcement and gentle redirection to keep my child focused and motivated. Her rapport with my child was impressive, fostering a warm and trusting relationship that made my child excited for each therapy session. The engaging materials and interactive tools used, from colorful utensils to sensory-rich foods, were thoughtfully selected to stimulate interest and participation. Ms. Regina’s ability to adapt her methods to my child’s evolving needs ensured consistent improvement. Her patience and creativity in addressing challenges were truly commendable. Overall, her dedication and expertise significantly contributed to my child’s growth and confidence in feeding. I wholeheartedly recommend Regina for her outstanding skills and compassionate approach in feeding therapy..”
– Jenna (Mom of a 4-year-old struggling eater
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Save the Date & Register!
Here are some of the upcoming workshops.
The purpose of food exploring group lessons run by a speech-language feeding therapist (SLP) is to help children (often those with feeding or sensory challenges) develop positive relationships with food and improve their oral motor, sensory, feelings and communication skills related to eating. These lessons are often structured, play-based, and therapeutic in nature.
Goals:
1) Improve feeding skills
2) Desensitize Sensory Aversions
3) Build Social and Communication Skills
4) Support Mealtime Routines and Behavior
5) Empower Parents and Caregivers
Servicing All Abilities *Click above to Register*
Contact me:
Regina Lleras M.S. CCC-SLP
e-mail: foodexploringspeech@gmail.com
Instagram: @foodexploringspeech & @youcanstutterwithme
https://www.instagram.com/foodexploringspeech/
https://www.instagram.com/youcanstutterwithme/
text or call: (516) 729-8726
Located within Bloomspace at Blue Point
20 Montauk Hwy. Blue Point, NY
Suite 103
Food Exploring Speech PLLC 