Pediatric feeding disorders

Estimates suggest that up to 25% of typically developing children and 80% of children with developmental disabilities have a feeding problem at some point in their lifetime (Manikam & Perman, 2000). In most cases, the etiology of pediatric feeding disorders is complex and involves interactions between physiological, medical, oral-motor, and environmental factors (Rommel, DeMeyer, Feenstra, & Veereman-Wauters, 2003). Therefore, an interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial to ensure the child’s safety and success with oral feeding during intervention. Currently, procedures based on applied behavior analysis have the most empirical support as treatment for pediatric feeding disorders, when a child does not eat or drink a sufficient quantity or variety of food to maintain proper nutrition. This chapter summarizes the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders based on a functional analysis and areas for future research to indicate which treatment will be most effective and efficient.