Skip to main content
Go Back to System Level

A national leader in treating children with feeding disorders, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital's (MWPH) Comprehensive Program for Feeding Disorders offers high-quality, interdisciplinary care delivered in a cost-effective manner, teaches of health professional and conducts research related to feeding disorders.

Our team of pediatric gastroenterologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dietitians and social workers develop personalized goals for each child. And we do it all with the family's involvement — the only way a child will succeed in the long term.

Pediatric feeding disorders and eating problems stem from a number of direct and indirect factors. Our comprehensive program encompasses all a child's medical, psychosocial and rehabilitative needs.

Feeding Disorder Assessment

Our goal is to work with you to provide the methods and knowledge of how to safely feed your child with the right foods and nutrition at each stage of your child's development.

At your first appointment, we will gather information to better understand what you are experiencing at home. During a clinical appointment, you will meet with a team of specialists (physician, nurse practitioners, dietitian, occupational therapist, behavioral psychologist, and speech-language pathologist) who will assess the feeding problem utilizing their specialty and then work as a team to develop a plan of care.

We will look at some physical and emotional aspects of your child's feeding problem:

  • Oral-motor – How does your child move food in their mouth and swallowing abilities?
  • Behavioral – What will motivate your child to eat and reduce stress around meal times?
  • Nutrition – What is your child eating currently?
  • Medical – We may recommend diagnostic testing to learn if there are medical issues impacting eating such as allergy testing, swallow study (VFSS), fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).

Feeding Treatment Plan

At the end of our assessment, we will be able to recommend a treatment program that is best suited for you and your child.

As a pediatric rehabilitation hospital, we place great emphasis on the development of appropriate feeding treatment plans and their follow-through, as well as ensuring smooth transitions between inpatient and outpatient programs. We are involved in program analysis and education; outcomes of current research continually inform our efforts.

Our Feeding Programs and Services

Feeding Clinic

The Feeding Clinic is an interdisciplinary team of practitioners including a pediatric gastroenterologist, nurse practitioners, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists and dietitians. A complete assessment and medical, nutritional and therapy recommendations are provided.

Feeding Day Treatment Program

The Feeding Day Treatment Program is a six-week program providing intense feeding intervention. Children receive three treatment meals per day. They participate in play and nap time between meals as well as additional activities such as school services, sensory motor group, visits from therapy pets and rehabilitation treatment from occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT) and/or speech and language pathology (SLP). The feeding team monitors children after discharge via the Feeding Follow-Up Clinic. Learn more about the Feeding Day Treatment Program.

Inpatient Services

Inpatient services are arranged for selected hospitalized MWPH patients. Feeding services include infant feeding and treating children who have complex medical needs such as post-surgical care, burns, injuries or trauma.

Outpatient Services

Specialty clinics such as gastrointestinal (GI), pulmonary and nutrition are available. Single provider therapy from OT/SLP or psychology or a combined behavioral and oral motor approach is available. Outpatient group program is available for children with food selectivity.

Contact Us

In This Section: