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 using the only well-established empirically-supported treatments for paediatric feeding disorders. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality services and supporting families through their journey. With our guidance and expertise, families can feel assured that their child receives the best care. A process previously exclusive to a few specific locations in the United States, Dr. Tessa Taylor now travels in order to bring the most advanced techniques across the world.
* Backed by 50 years of evidence * Wide variety of healthy foods
* Works quickly (in days, weeks) * Teaches independent skills (utensils, cup drinking, chewing, medication)
* Intensive, In-home * Direct, high level of parent support and help
* Tailored for your child and family * Meals away from home and with other caregivers
* Gradual tube reduction * Funding available (NDIS, Medicare)
Proven Success in Treating a Range Feeding Difficulties
Feeding is literally vital–next to breathing it’s the first and most important thing we have to do in life, connected to almost every other aspect of a child’s life and development. No human behaviour has greater biological and social significance. It occurs multiple times every day and is one of parents’ greatest responsibilities.
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 90% in developmental disabilities.
- 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 nearly 60 peer-reviewed research publications and 3 book chapters, and has nearly 70 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