What can I expect to occur during my child's evaluation?

 

The interdisciplinary feeding team will interview you regarding current feeding practices and your child's feeding history. The team consists of specialists from the following areas:

• Pediatric gastroenterology

• Behavioral psychology

• Occupational/speech therapy

• Pediatric nutrition

Additionally, the team will observe your child eating a typical meal. The team will then provide recommendations as to whether your child is a candidate for our intensive day treatment program or outpatient program.

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What is a typical day like in the Intensive Day Treatment Program? 

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The Intensive Day Treatment Program is all day, Monday through Friday. Therapy is scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. A typical schedule includes 4 to 5 meal or session times, including snacks. Between meal times, your child will have scheduled free times and a nap or quiet time. It is important to remember that each child's schedule is determined by health, medical, and feeding needs. Schedules will vary according to the needs of each individual child.

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What is a typical visit like in the Outpatient Program?

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This program consists of regularly scheduled weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly one-hour visits. We will observe you and your child during a typical meal using the treatment protocol developed by the team. The team will then provide further recommendations to continue to make progress toward age-appropriate eating.

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During my child's treatment when or how often do I need to be present?

 

The Intensive Day Treatment Program requires that you are available for a number of things at the center. Upon admission, we conduct a number of assessments that require the presence of the caregiver(s) during the first week. Additionally, it is important that you are available for a goal meeting, which will be held one to two weeks of beginning treatment. The purpose of this meeting is to establish specific goals for your child's stay in the day treatment program. This goal meeting also will be an opportunity for you to voice any questions and concerns you have pertaining to your child’s treatment and to have input in finalizing your child's treatment goals.

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Throughout the program, you will be involved in caregiver training, which typically takes place over the last few weeks of treatment. Caregiver training is a very important part of our program because we need to prepare you to successfully implement your child's treatment protocols in the home environment. 

 

We also try to have your child feeding in an environment similar to the home environment. This may include bringing your other children and caregivers into the session. If possible, we will conduct meals in the home or school prior to transitioning your child to our outpatient program.

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