Every child’s feeding journey is unique — we’re here to help guide the way.
Feeding is both connection and nutrition.
Welcome! My name is April Turner, OTR/L, SWC. I am a pediatric occupational therapist, a mother, and deeply passionate about supporting young children and their families. I was inspired to start Flourish Occupational Therapy to guide parents through the often messy and overwhelming journey of transitioning to solid foods.
In a world filled with endless information and very little time, it can be difficult to know how to confidently navigate starting solids—and all the questions that come with it. My goal is to provide clear, supportive guidance so families feel empowered every step of the way.
I hope to help families build strong feeding foundations from the very beginning, reducing picky eating before it starts. I also provide compassionate support to parents who are further along in their journey and feeling stuck, helping them better support their toddler and bring more peace and confidence back to family mealtimes.
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About Me
April Turner, OTR/L, SWC
April Turner is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in feeding and swallowing development, with a focused practice helping infants and families transition from milk feeds to solid foods. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of California (2011) and completed advanced certification in pediatric feeding therapy. April combines evidence-based strategies with family-centered care to support safe, confident, and joyful mealtimes.
Clinical expertise
Infant feeding development: Assessment and intervention for oral motor skills, sensory processing, state regulation, and motor milestones that influence feeding readiness.
Transition to solids: Graduated introduction of purees, spoon feeding, textures, and self-feeding, using pace, sensory supports, and graded exposure to build tolerance and skill.
Oral motor and sensory-based interventions: Targeted activities to strengthen oral musculature, improve jaw stability, lip closure, tongue lateralization, and sensory acceptance of varied textures and flavors.
Feeding safety and aspiration awareness: Clinical bedside swallowing screening and collaboration medical teams for instrumental assessment when indicated.
Family coaching and education: Practical, culturally respectful guidance for caregivers on positioning, cue-based feeding, responsive feeding, feeding schedules, and mealtime routines.
Approach and philosophy April’s approach emphasizes the intersection of development, sensory experience, and family routine. She uses play-based, developmentally appropriate strategies that honor caregiver goals and cultural feeding practices. Interventions are individualized, starting with establishing physiologic regulation and postural support, progressing through skill-building tasks, and incorporating caregiver coaching so gains translate to everyday meals.
Professional experience April in early intervention programs, pediatric outpatient clinics, and home-based services. She frequently supports infants with a history of prematurity, medical complexity, reflux, oral aversion, delayed oral motor skills, and sensory feeding differences.