As many as 1 in 4 children experience some type of feeding difficulty during infancy or early childhood. We evaluate and treat young children with a variety of feeding problems to ensure they get the proper nutrition and eat in an age-appropriate way.
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:
A number of medical conditions can cause feeding problems. They are:
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.
