The program cares for children from birth to age 21 throughout the world who have behavioral or medical feeding problems such as extreme food selectivity or refusal, inappropriate mealtime behaviors, skill deficits such as swallowing or self-feeding, or vomiting. The comprehensive, effective design of the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program results in shorter average inpatient stays. In addition, the majority of children once dependent on supplemental feedings are discharged independent of tube feedings, or dependent for less than 25 percent of nutritional or fluid intake. Other Benefits of the Program Parent training . Program specialists provide guidance and performance-based feedback on the parents' use of their child's specific treatment procedures.
Training occurs in the home, school and other community settings.
Follow-up services are provided for up to 2 years. The program conducts ongoing research into developing and evaluating new methods for increasing appropriate feeding behaviors. Professional training . Workshops and lectures are given to consumer groups and medical professionals. Predoctoral, postdoctoral, intern and resident training is provided.