Back from feeding eval…need opinions

[Anonymous]

i can completely understand your reaction to the feeding evaluation. as a matter of fact, this same reaction came from me when we had hannah evaluated when she was about a year old. according to the feeding therapist, the whole problem of eating/ appetite/ gagging would be solved if hannah would drink milk from a cup. (she was mspi and we hadn’t yet trialed milk, so needless to say, this idea was preposterous). so what we did was use what made sense to us, even the stuff that scared us a bit, but we did find that adapting to a new schedule really did help. i will also say that hannah didn’t lose any weight, but she certainly didn’t gain any. and one more thing, at 2 years old, she still only drinks maybe 4 oz of milk a day.

if i had an opportunity to, i would have taken her to someone different. in our county there has to be more than one type of delay to qualify for EI, but i did inquire about other OTs through them, the problem being i am a working mom and couldn’t schelp all over the state to find more amenable help. but if you can, i’d find someone else to talk to, another feeding clinic…just to run the suggestions by them and see what direction they would recommend.

i am not sure if i’ve posted this link for you, but i found it very helpful:

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/feeding-and-swallowing-disorders-in-children/

then follow the “find a professional” link. i emailed several of these people in my area and got some very good recommendations. i am sorry for your frustration. it would be nice if this were an exact science. then perhaps the professionals that are supposed to help would actually do so consistently.

[Anonymous]

Lisa –

When we took AShtyn to her feeding evaluation she went through it sounds like exactly what you did as far as who saw her, how it was done, etc. Because Ashtyn is older they actually referred her to a group therapy they have for kids 18 months – 3 yrs. They have several age groups they do feeding therapy for. Ashtyn is actually doing well. Maybe ask them that when he’s older if they have anything like this….if it is still an issue. Hopefully it won’t be though.

[Anonymous]

Lisa, I was just wondering if you’ve been following their advice, and how things are going with Noah?

[Anonymous]

Lori,

Thanks for asking. Nope, I havent followed their advise. Its just not possible to feed him like they are suggesting. So I’m going about our ususal routine. Granted, it isnt getting any easier, and he is starting to drop some weight. I’m planning on still working with the feeding team to see if we can come up with another plan, and also to get some help with his swallowing/chewing issues.

How has Hailey been? Have there been any improvement in bottle or solids? I think about you guys often and wander how everyone is doing. Since both of us are going through such a tough time with our little ones, its easy to relate.

[Author]

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