Pediatric Feeding Services

What is a Feeding Disorder?

A child with a feeding disorder does not consume enough food or liquid (or a broad enough variety of food) to gain weight and grow normally. Feeding difficulties are not feeding disorders. A child who is a picky eater has a feeding difficulty. However, a child with a feeding disorder may only eat a few foods, completely avoiding entire food groups, textures, or liquids necessary for proper development. As a result, children diagnosed with feeding disorders are at greater risk for physical and cognitive difficulties and delays.

There are many different types of feeding disorders, and they can take on one or more of the following forms:

Trouble accepting and swallowing different food textures
Throwing tantrums at mealtimes
Refusing to eat certain food groups
Refusing to eat any solids or liquids
Choking, gagging, or vomiting when eating
Oral motor and sensory problems
Feeding tube dependence

Our Treatment Approach

Day Program

Children with more complicated medical conditions may need to be co-treated in the local hospital. However, children who do not need medical supervision, but still require intensive therapy, have an option to attend the day program. The day program hours are 8:30am-5:30pm. Parents are expected to participate in at least one session per day.

Outpatient Services

We offer a variety of treatment services and scheduling options for children without medical complications who do not require intensive therapy. Parents must participate in at least 25% of meals per week in our outpatient clinic.

Step 1: Evaluation	Step 2: Treatment	Step 3: Parent Involvement	Step 4: Follow-Up
Before entering the program, each child is evaluated so we gain a better understanding of his or her feeding disorder and current family meal practices. Sometimes additional testing or treatment options are recommended after the evaluation before treatment begins.	The team uses the results of these evaluations to develop a treatment plan tailored to the child’s and family’s unique needs.	In addition to working with each child, we teach the family and caregivers how to incorporate the treatment strategies in everyday life.	After a child has met the treatment objectives, we conduct follow-up meals in the clinic and when possible in the home to ensure families are successful outside of the clinic and to ensure that each child is continuing to make progress.

Questions?

Contact the Behavior Improvement Group if you have questions or would like to be contacted for these services.