Feeding and Nutrition Program
Our Therapeutic Feeding and Nutrition Program offers an onsite multidisciplinary team of pediatric experts in the following areas:
- Gastroenterology
- Nutrition
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Social Services
RHCI for Children's Therapeutic Feeding Team approach is designed to benefit infants and children who develop feeding difficulties because of the following circumstances:
- Mouth or throat weakness causing choking, gagging or coughing
- Reduced muscle control, neurological disorders
- Medical complications, prematurity, cardiac conditions, traumatic injury
- Non-oral feedings
- Growth and weight problems, malnutrition
- Chronic respiratory illnesses, asthma, pneumonia
- Digestive issues, reflux, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea
- Metabolic distrubances, food allergies
- Behavioral issues, autism, ADD
- Sensory integration disorders
- Extreme selectivity and food refusal
- Under-eating or over-eating
- Food anxieties or aversions
- Facial, oral, dental, pharyngeal anomalies
The comprehensive multidisciplinary team evaluation often consists of:
- Analysis of the caregiver's description of the feeding issues, including history of birth, growth and dietary patterns
- Meal observation
- General health and medical assessment, including weight and height
- Nutritional assessment including digestive status
- Assessment of oral-sensorimotor, swallowing, feeding skills
- Evaluation of motor control and positioning
- Analysis of neuro-developmental milestones, social and cognitive skills
- Assessment of the home routine
Once specific underlying causes for the child's feeding and nutition problems are identified, the team prepares an individualized, family-focused treatment program.
How to Access our Therapeutic Feeding and Nutrition Program:
Parents and caregivers should begin by discussing their child's feeding/swallowing or nutrition difficulties with their medical doctor. Primary care physicians, pediatricians and nurses will contact our Center to refer children for clinical feeding evaluations. A written prescription, referral, accurate growth chart and related medical reports are sent to us from the physician. Once received, our office will arrange an appointment for a Clinical Feeding and Nutrition Evaluation with the family. Medical insurance coverage is determined on a case-by-case basis and self-pay scales are available.
Information, referrals: (508) 833-1060
Fax: (508) 833-2216
