Specialized Pediatric Feeding, Swallowing, and Myofunctional Therapy.
Thrive Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy provides private, one-on-one pediatric feeding and swallowing therapy for infants, toddlers, and children in your child's natural environment, including your home, daycare or school, and through teletherapy.
We support children experiencing feeding challenges such as selective eating, difficulty transitioning to solids, gagging with textured foods, feeding aversion, oral motor delays, and support for children in collaboration with their medical team during medically directed transitions from tube feeding (NG, G-tube, or GJ-tube) to oral feeding.
Services are available to families in and around Cranberry Township, Zelienople, Mars, Wexford, and surrounding communities, as well as through teletherapy for children throughout Pennsylvania.
Meet the owner
Kayla Johnson, MS, CCC-SLP, CPFT™ is the owner and lead therapist of Thrive Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist and certified pediatric feeding therapist™ in the state of Pennsylvania. Kayla, a pediatric feeding and swallowing specialist, has completed over 200 hours of continuing education in feeding, swallowing and/or myofunctional therapy.
Over the past 11 years, she has gained extensive experience working with a wide array of infants, toddlers, and children with pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. Specifically, she has extensive experience supporting infants and children with complex feeding needs, including infants born premature, NICU graduates, children with tube feeding dependence, oral aversions, low muscle tone, and medically fragile conditions.
Kayla's background allows her to confidently support infants to children across a wide spectrum of feeding needs.
Kayla Johnson, MS, CCC-SLP, CPFT™
Areas of Specialization
Specialized Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Care
Oral motor and myofunctional skills related to feeding
Pediatric swallowing therapy
Oral and pharyngeal phase dysphagia
Supporting families during medically directed tube weaning
With focus on safe oral skill development, feeding progression, and collaboration with the child’s medical team
Feeding and oral motor function related to possible oral restrictions, with emphasis on function, coordination, and feeding performance
Evaluation focuses on functional feeding skills rather than structural diagnosis, which is determined by a trained medical provider
Functional support related to oral function, breathing patterns, and feeding development
With referral to appropriate medical providers for airway concerns when indicated
Sensory motor aspects of feeding (i.e. heightened gag, food aversions, selective eating, etc.)
Parent coaching and caregiver education
Private in-home, daycare, and school-based therapy services
Who We Serve
Thrive works with families who:
Want treatment provided from a pediatric feeding and swallowing specialist
Are seeking more 1:1 therapy provided within their child’s most natural environment(s)
Have children who are a selective eater or have very limited food variety
Have babies struggling with bottle feeding, breastfeeding, or transitioning to solids
Have children who gag, choke, cough, or have difficulty chewing and swallowing
Want practice strategies they can use during everyday family meals for generalization of skills
How Thrive Works
Personalized therapy on your terms
Thrive operates as a private-pay practice, giving families greater flexibility in the pace, schedule, and structure of therapy.
Sessions are typically 50 minutes with dedicated time for documentation and communication.
Superbills are available upon request.
Outcomes
Families often report:
Safer, more efficient eating
Less stress and anxiety at mealtimes
Improved chewing, swallowing and food acceptance
Greater variety, comfortability, and flexibility with foods
Clear strategies parents can use at home
Improved oral posture and correlated nasal breathing
Increased confidence for both child and parent
Progress looks different for every child. We focus on steady, meaningful modifications and improvements - not quick fixes - that are guided by each child's unique needs, medical history, and family goals.
Start with a Consultation
Every child’s feeding journey is different. A short consultation can help determine the best next step for your child and family.
Complimentary 15–20-minute consultation.
No obligation — just a supportive conversation.
No referral required.
Discuss your child’s feeding concerns and ask questions.
Serving Cranberry Township, Zelienople, Mars, Wexford, and surrounding communities.
Stay Connected with Thrive
Social media accounts for Thrive will be launching soon - follow along for feeding tips and resources for families.