Paediatric Feeding Clinic
What is feeding therapy?
Feeding Therapists at The Paediatric collective are certified in the SOS Approach to Feeding, an internationally evidenced based recognised approach for assessing and treating children with feeding difficulties.
Children are gradually exposed to different foods in a socially reinforcing environment and assisted to progress up 32 steps involved in the task of eating at a pace that respects their readiness. Children are taught to improve their feeding skills, overcome any fear responses and apply coping strategies. They learn skills that enable them to eat a variety of food types and textures.
Therapy is play-based for younger children and focuses on the typical pattern of feeding development. Older children become ‘explorers’ and learn about foods through experiments. A combination of both approaches is applied for children moving between the preoperational and operational cognitive stages. For all therapy, children and parents are active parts of therapy sessions with the feeding therapist or “Food School Teacher”.
The Feeding Therapist works on developing a strong trusting relationship with children and parents. Children learn what to expect in feeding therapy and know that they will not be forced to do anything that their body is not ready for.
There is an emphasis on education to ensure that parents understand the cause of their child’s feeding difficulties and how they can support them to improve their eating/drinking skills, mealtime behaviours, mealtime routine/environment and address any underlying medical issues. We offer online & in clinic feeding programs.
Feeding Assessments
Do we need a feeding assessment?
We see ages between 4 to 12 years of age
Your child may benefit from a feeding assessment if you have noticed the following:Poor weight gain
Paediatric feeding disorder
ARFID - Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorderChoking, gagging or coughing at mealtimesProblems with vomiting while trying to eatDifficulty transitioning from baby food pureesDifficulty accepting table food solids or transitioning to the next textureDifficulty transitioning from breast/bottle to a cupAvoiding foods of a specific texture or food groupEating less than 20 foods at the age of 2 yearsCrying or arching at most mealtimesHistory of eating and breathing coordination issues, with ongoing respiratory problemsYou describe your child is a ‘fussy eater’ or ‘picky eater’ on more than 2 child health care checksMealtimes always feel like a battleYour child is difficult to feedSensory issue with feedingAutism / ADHD with feeding difficulties
Comprehensive Child Feeding Assessment
120 minute assessment at the Feeding Clinic
An evaluation of your child’s feeding including an assessment of their eating/drinking skills
Assessing your child’s response to new and non-preferred foods
Obtaining your child’s medical and developmental history
Evaluating your child’s current challenges and behaviours at mealtimes
Evaluating how your family interacts around foods and mealtimes
Outlining major findings of the assessment and develop a therapy plan for your child.
A written report is recommended and can be provided following the appointment.
We offer additional services that you may want to consider including an assessment of your child’s sensory system and nutrition status.
Mineral & microbiome assessment.
