Project ECHO: Pediatric Feeding Series

ECHO Feeding explores feeding difficulties, including interdisciplinary symptoms, causes, and treatment options. Participants will gain insights into identifying patients needing specialized care and further evaluation and learn about the nuances of medical management and nutritional considerations in feeding disorders. Participants will enhance knowledge in oral motor therapy and ARFID and develop effective strategies for addressing feeding challenges in children with developmental disabilities.

The series emphasizes integrating psychosocial support for families into feeding disorder management. Each session is designed to empower participants in creating tailored, comprehensive treatment plans for patients with feeding disorders.

ECHO Feeding aims to enhance access to care within local communities, supporting sustainable improvements in managing pediatric feeding disorders across diverse health care settings.

Series Options

We offer two series options for participants:

• Foundations: This series provides foundational knowledge about the topic, including medical and nutritional management, developmental disabilities, oral motor therapy, parent coaching and treatment planning for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
• Continuity: This series builds on topics discussed during the Foundations series and aims to enhance participants' confidence and clinical skills in feeding care. Foundations is not required to participate in a continuity series.

Participant Benefits

• Mentoring and collaboration with interdisciplinary specialists
• Case-based learning

Participant Expectations

To make the most of your ECHO experience, we encourage participants to:

• Regularly attend sessions
• Keep your camera on for the duration of the session 
• Submit a case to present to the group
• Actively participate in discussions by sharing knowledge, experiences, resources, and recommendations
• Complete online pre- and post- surveys

Who Can Participate

Any health care professional who wants to engage around a topic, share their experience and learn from their peers can attend ECHO sessions.

This series specifically targets:

• Pediatric Primary Care Providers (MD, DO, PA, NP)
• Medical Specialists (Gastroenterology, Neurology, Psychiatry, etc.)
• Psychologists
• Integrated Behavioral Health Clinicians
• Speech Language Pathologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Social Workers
• Registered Dietitians
• Other professionals who work with patients in this population

Sample Topics

• ECHO Orientation: Overview of Logistics and Background, Case Presentations, and Basic Overview of Feeding Disorders
• Assessment and Referral of Feeding Disorders: Identifying the Parts of the Puzzle
• Medical Management of Feeding Disorders
• Nutritional Considerations in Managing and Treating Feeding Disorders
• Oral Motor Therapy: Oral Sensorimotor Development
• Oral Motor Therapy: Swallowing Concerns and How to Manage
• ARFID: The Fancy Name for Picky Eating (older children/younger children)
• Feeding in the Context of Developmental Disabilities
• The Crucial Role of Social Work in Managing Feeding Disorders
• Putting it All Together: Developing a Comprehensive Treatment Plan
• Coaching Parents: Parent Training

Future Series

If you would like to be contacted when the next series is scheduled, please join our contact list.