Feeding and Swallowing Clinic

Team members in the feeding and swallowing clinic at Advocate Hope Children's Hospital provide comprehensive diagnostic services for feeding problems and create treatment plans to address eating difficulties, including swallowing or sucking problems, spitting up, or a disinterest in food.

Medical problems, such as esophagitis, failure to thrive, or delayed gastric emptying, are addressed by a multidisciplinary treatment team that includes a pediatric gastroenterologist, speech-language pathologist, psychologist, occupational therapist and registered dietitian.

Parents are taught how to manage their child's difficulties and promote a return to healthy eating behaviors. Treatment may be coordinated with other pediatric specialists, such as a neurodevelopmental pediatrician, if needed.