If you suspect that your child is having difficulty eating, contact your pediatrician right away. Your pediatrician will examine your child and address any medical reasons for the feeding difficulties, including the presence of reflux or metabolic disorders. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in treating children with feeding and swallowing disorders can evaluate your child and will:
- ask questions about your child’s medical history, development, and symptoms
- look at the strength and movement of the muscles involved in swallowing
- observe feeding to see your child’ s posture, behavior, and oral movements during eating and drinking
- perform special tests, if necessary, to evaluate swallowing, such as:
- modified barium swallow -child eats or drinks food or liquid with barium in it, and then the swallowing process is viewed on an X-ray.
- endoscopic assessment -a lighted scope is inserted through the nose, and the child’s swallow can be observed on a screen.
The SLP may work as part of a feeding team. Other team members may include:
- an occupational therapist
- a physical therapist
- a physician or nurse
- a dietitian or nutritionist
- a developmental specialist
Your child’s posture, self-feeding abilities, medical status, and nutritional intake will be examined by the team. The team will then make recommendations on how to improve your child’s feeding and swallowing.
Your Pediatric Feeding Therapist in Chicago,
Karen George
