Pediatric Feeding Disorders

Most people have never heard of pediatric feeding disorder until their family or a friend has a child who is directly affected. Despite the significant impact pediatric feeding disorder has on children and their families, there is relatively little research in the field, and we have so much more to learn. We do know that rapid access to effective treatment is essential to minimize the risks to a child's health, and behavioral interventions informed by an interdisciplinary team is the standard of care. However, more research on what works best for whom is urgently needed.

Our team's current research focuses on improving the efficacy and efficiency of treatment while minimizing children's stress while learning to eat.

Department Research Areas

• Developing assessment methods to determine which treatment techniques will be most effective for each child.
• The comparative effectiveness of different behavioral treatment techniques.
• The comparative effectiveness of behavioral intervention to other widely available interventions.
• Developing and testing new treatment techniques that are based on behavioral principles but target foundational oral-motor skills.
• Interdisciplinary strategies to assess and treat the most complex patients.

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Student Research Opportunities

Faculty and Staff Research

Explore research focused on the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities performed by MMI's Department of Pediatric Feeding Disorders faculty and staff.

• Amy Drayton, PhD
• Bethany Hansen, PhD, BCBA-D
• Rachel Knight, PhD