Social work intervention and failure to thrive in infants and children

Failure to thrive (FTT) is a diagnostic term used to describe infants and children who fail to grow and develop at a normal rate. There has been limited literature focused on the role social workers play in working with children who fail to thrive. Because the focus of the current health care system is on using an interdisciplinary team approach, it is crucial that social workers make a place for themselves on treatment teams and continue to use their skills to provide comprehensive treatment. This article educates social workers about FTT and addresses the roles social workers have in the treatment of children who fail to thrive and how their services provide a therapeutic and team-oriented approach.