Feeding Therapy
Mealtimes should be enjoyable and nutritive!
Mealtimes with your child should be a special time to bond and create memories. It’s a time when families come together to communicate and share daily events. In short, mealtimes with your child should be both enjoyable and enriching for the entire family!
Some children, especially those with medical conditions, oral-motor weakness, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, may have a very hard time eating.
Your child, like many
As difficult as feeding your child may be now, there is hope!
See if any of the items below apply to your child at mealtime:
Does your child…
New Beginnings can help!
Our feeding therapy is child-centered and will allow your child to develop a positive, healthy relationship with food and mealtimes. Our feeding therapy is designed to work with parents to meet family and nutritional goals.
Duration of therapy depends solely on your child’s needs. There are no “group camps” because every child is different and may need more or less therapy to achieve feeding and nutritional goals.
Our treatment takes into account medical conditions, oral-motor weaknesses, emotional, social, cognitive, sensory, and nutritional needs.
Therapy is
Our therapists use approaches developed and proven to be effective, including:
Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach
Food Chaining Approach
Evaluation
The day of the evaluation, you will be asked to bring 2-3 foods your child eats and 2 non-preferred foods, as well as their feeding utensils, cups, bottles.
The evaluation will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Treatment
Treatment depends on your child’s identified needs and
We have feeding clinicians at both our Rich Beem and Zaragoza locations to better serve you.
Meet Our Speech Therapists
Daniella Anchondo
M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Daniella earned her bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas at El Paso. She earned her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Emerson College in Boston, MA.
As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, Daniella shows an interest in feeding, dysphagia, and increasing language abilities. Daniella believes in shaping therapy sessions with each child’s abilities and needs in mind to help them achieve a better quality of life.
Daniella also understands the importance of collaborating with other disciplines, such as Occupational Therapy, to help generalize speech and language skills. Her ultimate and overall goal is to provide exposure and a stimulating learning environment where children of all backgrounds can relate to and improve their daily communication skills.
In her free time, Daniella enjoys spending time with her loved ones, traveling, and spoiling her dogs.
Jordan Orozco
M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jordan Orozco is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Feeding Therapist who works with infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children to help support their unique feeding and swallow difficulties. Jordan understands the various complexities that come with feeding/swallowing and the stressors that may impact parents/caregivers when their children are not eating well. Jordan believes that children deserve to feel confident and comfortable during mealtime. Jordan chose to pursue a career as an SLP because she believes that the ability to communicate and safely feed/swallow are two of the most intimate experiences one can have, and every child deserves that opportunity. Jordan holds a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Texas at El Paso. Jordan is passionate about the El Paso community and has pursued a career as a pediatric speech-language pathologist to not only serve children in the community but their families as well. Jordan holds training in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding Approach, which is a nationally and internationally recognized clinical program in helping children develop an improved life-long relationship with food. Jordan also holds training certificates in feeding 6–16-month-old infants and feeding children on the Autism spectrum.
Katelyn Vera
M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Katie is a home grown El Paso native and UTEP graduate. She became a Speech-Language Pathologist because she aspired to have a career dedicated to helping many people. Katie has focused her career thus far in the pediatric population in the specialty areas of dysphagia and food aversion therapy. Katie feels that eating not only provides nutrition for a growing child but should also be an enjoyable experience for a child and their family.
Her professional goal as a feeding specialist is to work with a child and their family to identify and treat eating difficulties by increasing oral-motor skills and acceptance of foods in order to provide proper nutrition and alleviate stress during mealtimes.
Katie has training in the Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Approach, a nationally recognized feeding program for children with sensory issues.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Victoria Chacon
M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Victoria Chacon is a Speech-Language Pathologist who earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso. She has an interest in the areas of feeding, dysphagia, and increasing her patient’s speech and language skills. Victoria, or “Tori” as we like to call her, is also fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). She enjoys implementing ASL skills with children who are not able to verbally communicate. Tori has worked with children who have been diagnosed with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and speech and language delays. Aside from the skills she has gained over her experience as an SLP, she is interested in expanding her skills in the area of feeding and dysphagia. She was able to be trained in assessing and treating Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) at New Beginnings, which is a restriction of frenas (tongue, lip, cheek ties) that can affect the way an individual speaks, eats, and swallows. Prior to choosing this career, Tori knew she was interested in working with children. She chose this path because she got to be a crucial part in a child’s journey when working towards a better quality of life. Tori believes it is important to work closely with patient families and other disciplines, and to build rapport with her patients and their parents/caretakers to assist with a higher success rate or great outcomes. Tori states, “It is such a reward to be able to see the children’s progress and to hear their families express how happy they are to communicate with their children in a way they weren’t able to before.”
Jazmin Lopez
M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jazmin is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and proud graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies in 2016. Starting her career as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, she gained valuable hands-on experience and the confidence to transition into her current role as a skilled evaluating clinician, completing her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2023.
She has a passion for working with individuals across their lifespans and has experience treating various communication and feeding/swallowing disorders. Jazmin is committed to creating an inclusive and engaging environment where therapy is practical, playful, and fun. She believes every client deserves personalized care, and she strives to make each session impactful and enjoyable.
She aims to empower each individual to achieve their fullest potential in communication and beyond.
Annette Barron
M.S. SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Annette is a native El Pasoan who received her Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso. She obtained her Speech-Language Pathology Assistant license and has worked in pediatric speech therapy in home health, and for the last seven years in a private practice setting. Annette has worked with children with various needs such as: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Accent Reduction, Aphasia, Apraxia, Articulation Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (DD/ADHAD), Autism Spectrum, Cluttering, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, and Stuttering. She recently graduated with her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas at El Paso. She is currently working on achieving her Auditory Verbal Therapy certification and plans to get further trained in feeding therapy.
Annette enjoys working with children and providing them with the skills needed to let their voice be heard. She believes in early intervention and working with families to improve and increase a child’s communication skills. Annette values the verse “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Heb. 10:24 NLT). She is a past secretary of the El Paso Speech and Hearing Association. New Beginnings is happy to have Annette on their amazing team!
Andrea Rodriguez
M.S. SLP-Intern
Speech-Language Pathology Intern
Andrea graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Sciences and a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology with a Bilingual Certificate. She is passionate about helping children develop their communication skills and reach their full potential. She specializes in working with young children who face a variety of speech and language challenges. Her approach is tailored to each child’s unique needs and strengths, using evidence-based practices and engaging techniques to make therapy both effective and enjoyable.
Andrea believes in creating a warm, supportive environment where children feel confident to explore and improve their communication abilities. In addition to her clinical work, she stays actively involved in professional development to bring the latest research and strategies into her practice. She is excited to partner with you and your child on this journey toward communication and greater confidence. Please feel free to reach her if you have any questions or if you’d like to learn more about how you can work together to support your child’s growth. She is looking forward to meeting you!
Teresa Serena
M.A. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Teresa Serna is a dedicated Intern Speech Language Pathologist – CF and Feeding Therapist who is passionate about empowering children through speech/language and feeding therapy. She approaches therapy with a focus on child-led play, recognizing the importance of understanding each child’s sensory system. Teresa believes that behavior is not just behavior—it’s communication, and by helping children feel regulated and secure, she enables them to express their true potential. With a strong interest in feeding therapy, Teresa is committed to helping families navigate the complexities of feeding challenges. She understands how overwhelming feeding issues can be for both children and their parents, and her goal is to provide compassionate support throughout the process.
Teresa also has a deep passion for working with neurodivergent children. She believes in meeting children where they are and tailoring therapy to their unique needs. By using a multimodal approach to communication, Teresa helps each child find the most effective way to express themselves, ensuring their voices are heard in the way that suits them best.
Through her work, Teresa aims to foster not just improvement in speech, language, and feeding but also greater confidence and connection between children and their families. She is committed to building a supportive, individualized therapy environment where every child can thrive.
Teresa has training in the Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Approach and Inside Out Sensory Training, and Ampcare.
Memberships/Certifications
Memberships/Certifications
Changing Lives is Our Mission
Offering children a New Beginning and a brighter future.