Intensive Feeding Track

All children must be evaluated before they are considered for the Intensive Feeding Track.

The Comprehensive Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Program's Intensive Feeding Track is an intensive outpatient treatment option. It is for children with feeding difficulties who have tried traditional outpatient therapies and have not fully achieved their feeding goals, including:

• Decrease tube feedings
• Prevent and/or remove feeding tube
• Improve weight and nutrition status
• Improve mealtime behaviors and skills

What to Expect

• Patients in our Intensive Feeding Track complete three meals per day, Monday through Friday, for 6 to 8 weeks.
• A parent/guardian should plan to be on-site from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day their child receives treatment.
• Each patient will have their own private room for napping and downtime between meals and access to a shared family lounge.
• Due to the intensive nature of our program we are unable to accommodate siblings.

Schedule

• Evaluation (1 week): Assess skills and establish treatment goals
• Implement Treatment Plan
  • Step 1 (2-4 weeks): feeding therapist in room feeding child, parent/guardian watching behind two-way mirror
  • Step 2 (2-3 weeks): parent learns different aspects of meal, exercise, feeding and reward
  • Step 3 (1 week): practice transition to home; parents are observed feeding the child with coached feeding sessions
• Discharge and Follow-up: Follow-up appointments are scheduled 1 week, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after discharge.