About
The Pediatric Feeding & Swallowing Disorders Clinic at The Child Development & Rehabilitation Center serves children form birth to 21 years of age who are experiencing feeding and swallowing challenges. Those served may have difficulty chewing or swallowing, behavioral problems related to feeding, food refusal, feeding aversion, poor weight gain, difficulty advancing food textures, or are transitioning from tube feeding to eating by mouth.
The children we see often have medical problems impacting their feeding.
Medical issues which impact feeding may include:
- Prematurity
- Cerebral palsy
- Congenital syndromes (i.e. Down Syndrome)
- Cleft lip and palate
- Congenital cardiac conditions
- Chronic lung disease/bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Failure to thrive
- Autism / pervasive developmental disorders
Examples of signs that may indicate feeding problems include:
- Coughing, choking, or gagging during a meal
- Poor weight gain
- Vomiting
- Total or partial food refusal
- Mouth weakness
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Resistance to food textures
- Behavior concerns at mealtime
