Feeding

Pediatric feeding disorders involve the failure of a child to feed in an age- or developmentally-appropriate manner. This includes food refusal, food selectivity, and difficulty using utensils or open cups to feed oneself. Behavioral treatments for pediatric feeding disorders often include multiple components that manipulate the antecedents and consequences for feeding-related behavior to increase the acceptance of new foods, increase the amount of food or liquid consumed, and teach feeding-related skills (e.g., chewing foods). The treatment of pediatric feeding disorders often starts with more intensive treatments with the ultimate goal being the child feeding themselves at home, school, and in the community. The chapter includes other factors influencing pediatric feeding disorders (e.g., medical and physiological conditions) as well as the role of interdisciplinary treatment teams.