Outpatient Feeding Treatment

What happens during outpatient feeding treatment?

• Our feeding experts will partner with you to develop an individualized treatment for your child. The treatment will depend on your child’s unique needs.
• Some children see one feeding expert from one discipline, such as a speech and language pathologist.
• Some children see feeding experts from more than one discipline, such as an occupational therapist and a psychologist. Each feeding expert sees the child individually in a separate appointment.

No matter which feeding experts treat your child, you can be sure that we will be there to support you. Here are some examples of the types of therapists that might provide consultation or treatment and the general focus of their treatment.

• Nutritionist will evaluate your child’s growth and whether your child’s fluid and food intake are meeting their calorie, protein, fluid, vitamin and mineral needs.
• Occupational Therapist will work with your child on breathing, coordination, postural control, sensory processing, self-regulation, and strength needed for feeding, mealtime, and general routines.
• Psychologist/Psychotherapist will help you and your child manage behavior or emotional problems that are affecting your child’s feeding.
• Speech-Language Pathologist specialized in feeding will help your child to chew, drink, and safely swallow foods and liquids.

Important Instructions for Outpatient Feeding Treatment

How do I schedule feeding treatment?

• The first step for most children is an evaluation. Click here to go return to homepage for CSH feeding services.

Where do I go for outpatient treatment?

• Our feeding experts offer treatment at several locations. The location depends on the type of feeding expert you and your child need and which feeding experts are available.

What is the appointment schedule for outpatient feeding treatment?

• It could be the case that more than one feeding expert will treat your child or just one feeding expert will treat your child. Each feeding expert will do treatment separately. If more than one discipline is recommended, they will talk to each other and to you to make a treatment and scheduling plan.

How often will my child have feeding treatment appointments?

• The number of appointments per week depends on your child’s unique needs. Appointments could be several times a week, once a week, every other week, or once a month, for example.

How long are the feeding treatment appointments?

• Appointments might be 30 to 60 minutes, but appointment lengths may vary depending on your child’s unique needs.

What approach do the feeding experts use during outpatient treatment?

• The approach is unique to your child’s needs and depends on the goals of treatment. Whatever approach our feeding experts use, you can be sure that we will be there to support you.

Will my insurance pay for treatment?

• Many insurance plans cover our services. Please call your insurance company if you have specific questions about your benefits. Our Insurance Verification and Authorization team will work with your insurance company to authorize the treatment prior to the first visit date. An authorization for treatment is not a guarantee of payment.

What happens if insurance does not authorize the treatment?

• Our Insurance Verification and Authorization Department will discuss other options with you.

Return to Feeding Services Homepage

Need Help? Contact our Feeding Intake Coordinator, call 908-301-5915