Feeding Disorders Program

About feeding disorders.

A feeding disorder is identified when a child is unable or refuses to consume a sufficient quantity or variety of solids and liquids to maintain proper nutrition. As a result, your child may experience weight loss, malnutrition, lethargy, impaired intellectual and social-emotional development, and growth retardation. 

Specific feeding issues may include:

• Failure to thrive (low weight for age)
• Food or swallowing phobia
• Sensitivity to food type and/or texture
• Inability to chew, swallow
• Mealtime behavior problems (tantrums, lengthy meals)
• Nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes
• Recurrent gagging, vomiting
• Refusal to eat or drink

Causes of feeding disorders.

A number of medical conditions can cause feeding problems. They are:

• autism spectrum disorder
• cerebral palsy
• craniofacial anomalies
• cystic fibrosis
• dysphagia
• failure to thrive
• food allergy
• gastrointestinal issues such as pain, reflux and motility disorders
• HIV
• metabolic disorders
• oral-motor dysfunction
• prematurity
• reactive airway disease
• short bowel syndrome

Specialized care.

Our team includes a speech pathologist, dietitian, occupational therapist and behavioral psychologist. Together, we provide a comprehensive assessment to identify the issues interfering with oral feeding and then develop a personalized treatment plan.

Testing may include a videofluoroscopic swallowing function study (VFSS) to evaluate your child's ability to protect his airway during feeding. This test is usually followed by an oral motor/feeding evaluation. 

We develop a home program and feeding guidelines based on the results of these tests. We may also offer other recommendations to meet the specific needs of your child.