Paediatric Feeding International
Feeding therapy clinic/programme providing international consultancy and home treatment services that work for Paediatric Feeding Disorders (including tube weaning & ARFID).
Paediatric Feeding International provides in-home intensive services and remote consultation for feeding/ARFID and tube weaning. Intervention is individualised/tailored for the child and family, and works quickly (in weeks). Tube feeds are reduced gradually as they succeed, without relying on starvation/hunger. We teach mealtime skills like using utensils, cup drinking, and chewing, and increase texture and independence in taking medication. We use a variety of healthy foods from all food groups, rather than just a sweet puree or snack/junk food. We directly help and support parents to learn how to do meals themselves. We can help with meals in the community too such as childcare and restaurants. Medicare and NDIS can fund it.
Proven Success in Treating a Range Feeding Difficulties
The prevalence of feeding disorders is between 1:23 and 1:37 children under 5 annually in the USA, higher than autism (1:54) and cerebral palsy (1:323) Kovacic et al., (2020).
Prevalence estimates vary up to as high as 89%.
- Gastrostomy (G-Tube) or nasogastric (NG-Tube) tube dependence (tube weaning)
- Liquid dependence (formula, bottle)
- Underweight/poor growth
- Inappropriate mealtime behaviour (crying, negative statements, turning head, covering mouth, hitting the spoon/cup, throwing food/utensils, spitting out the food, holding food in mouth without swallowing, aggression, self-injury, leaving the table, not coming to the table) and long mealtimes
- Gagging, coughing, vomiting
- Food selectivity (“picky”/”fussy” eaters): Not eating foods from all food groups (protein, starch, vegetable, fruit) separately, eating only snack/junk foods, only eating foods at certain temperatures, prepared/presented a certain way, of specific brands/certain colours, or in certain receptacles/utensils
- Not drinking from an open cup or feeding self age-appropriately
- Not drinking liquids such as water or milk
- Eating only mashed or blended foods/textures, difficulty chewing/swallowing
- Only eating in certain settings (e.g., home), at certain times, or with certain people (e.g., Mum)
- Medication refusal
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID); Paediatric feeding disorder (PFD)
- Refusing to sit at the table to eat; Needing distractions (e.g., electronics) to eat
- Needing a separate meal from family
- Feeling stress, dreading mealtimes
Professionally Certified. Internationally Recognised.
Dr. Tessa Taylor has nearly 25 years of experience and is a Doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D). She obtained her Master’s degree in 2001 and her PhD in clinical psychology in 2010 from Louisiana State University, USA. She is a registered clinical psychologist in Australia and former licensed clinical psychologist in the USA. Dr. Taylor completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine/Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Dr. Taylor has authored over 50 peer-reviewed research publications and 3 book chapters, and has over 60 professional presentations internationally (USA, Australia, Japan, France, Greece, Italy, Maldives, Ireland, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Philippines). She is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Treatment Built Upon Expertise
After completing fellowship, Dr. Taylor remained on as faculty in the KKI Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program. This programme is the original, largest, and one of the few interdisciplinary behaviour-analytic programs of its kind; treating the most severe and complex children from all over the world.
Dr. Taylor’s highly specialised and unique training and expertise in paediatric feeding disorders and severe problem behaviour grants her the ability to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of complexity and severity of feeding difficulties.
Delivering Effective Results for 50 Years
This approach is individualised, data-driven, intensive, and direct, employing the most well-established, empirically-supported treatments for paediatric feeding disorders with 50 years of quality scientific research supporting its effectiveness.
A process previously exclusive to a few specific locations in the United States, Dr. Taylor now travels in order to bring the most advanced techniques and treatments across the world.
This highly effective and individualised feeding therapy quickly increases nutritional variety from all food groups, teaches skills needed for age-appropriate independence (cup drinking, utensils) and texture, and is applicable regardless of diagnosis or ability/skill level without the need for starvation.
Paediatric Feeding International
Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral (BCBA-D) #1-13-13170
Australian Business Number (ABN) 43511656633