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A Treatment Package without Escape Extinction to Address Food Selectivity
Published on: August 21, 2015
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Roles of the Speech-Language Pathologist and Behavioral
Memorie M Gosa1, Pamela Dodrill2, Maureen A Lefton-Greif3
1Department of Communicative Disorders, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
Insights
Pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) require a multidisciplinary team for diagnosis and intervention. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a key role in addressing PFDs, collaborating with other specialists and caregivers for successful outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) are complex, with diverse causes impacting child development.
- Effective management necessitates a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach.
- The role of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) within these teams is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the definition, etiology, diagnosis, and intervention of PFDs.
- To highlight the integral role of SLPs in multidisciplinary PFD management.
- To emphasize the importance of SLP collaboration with other professionals and caregivers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on PFDs, focusing on contributing factors, diagnosis, and interventions.
- Analysis of the SLP's role in differentiating inability versus unwillingness to eat.
- Examination of collaborative strategies within multidisciplinary teams.
Main Results:
- SLPs are vital in assessing and intervening in pediatric feeding issues.
- Collaboration with psychologists, behavioral specialists, and parents is essential for therapeutic success.
- Multidisciplinary team input is critical for accurate PFD identification.
Conclusions:
- Successful management of PFDs relies on a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team including parents.
- SLPs provide essential expertise for the accurate identification and effective treatment of PFDs.
- Integrated care models enhance therapeutic outcomes for children with feeding disorders.
Abstract:
Purpose Pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) present as a complex clinical challenge because of the heterogeneous underlying etiologies and their impact on health, safety, growth, and psychosocial development. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for accurate diagnosis and prompt interventions to lessen the burdens associated with PFDs. The role of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) as a member of the multidisciplinary team will be highlighted. Method This clinical focus article reviews the definition of PFDs and pertinent literature on factors that contribute to the development of PFDs, the accurate diagnosis, and current interventions for infants and children. As part of the multidisciplinary team, the SLP has an integral role in determining whether a child cannot or will not eat and working with the team to identify and carryout appropriate interventions. Collaboration between SLPs and psychologists/behavioral specialists in conjunction with the parents/caregivers as part of the multidisciplinary team is essential to the advancement of therapeutic goals. Conclusions Due to their complex nature, the successful management of PFDs is only possible with the care and expertise of a multidisciplinary team, which includes parents/caregivers. SLPs are important members of these multidisciplinary teams and provide valuable input for the accurate identification and effective remediation of PFDs.
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