Better Medicine and Healthier Kids
The Center for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing is home to a highly specialized, nationally recognized program. Our team of specialists offers a unique, methodical and multidisciplinary approach. Children of all ages may be affected by feeding and swallowing problems caused by numerous conditions including birth defects, genetic disorders, food aversions, gastrointestinal disorders, environmental issues, vomiting, respiratory problems, food allergies, trauma, injuries and premature birth. We recognize that feeding and swallowing disorders are associated with medical, motor and behavioral conditions and look beyond the mouth to uncover and treat the cause. We establish an individual plan for each child and modify it based on his or her medical, motor and behavioral advances.
We are one of a few centers with a full-time medical, behavioral and therapeutic staff dedicated to the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. Our full-time multidisciplinary team includes developmental pediatricians, feeding specialists, occupational therapists, physical therapist, speech-language pathologists, nurses, and family counselors. The team has also collaborates and consults with colleagues in nutrition, gastroenterology, pulmonology, genetics, radiology, endocrinology, general pediatrics, cardiology, otolaryngology, pediatric neurology, dentistry, and respiratory therapy.
Assessment and Treatment
Since 2000, specialists at the Center for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing have been evaluating and treating children using a highly individualized approach to care. Most children enter the program as outpatients and day treatment may be recommended when more intensive therapy is required. Feeding and swallowing screenings are performed in person or via videoconferencing. On-site evaluations are hands-on and follow-up sessions are performed via two-way cameras.
EFEED®
The Center for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing provides its services to children around the world through a unique telehealth program called EFEED®. Thanks to interactive, two-way videoconferencing, children from all over the world can be observed on a regular basis in real time by our leading team of feeding and swallowing specialists.
Our mission is to provide multimedia access to a contemporary and behaviorally based team of professionals to families who have children with complex feeding and swallowing difficulties. Our approach to care is the same whether we are sitting across the table from a patient or across the country.
EFEED® is an extension of the outpatient and day treatment programs, designed for those patients who do not require or who have completed on-site day treatment. Here’s how it works:
- Screening: Children identified as having a possible feeding or swallowing problem can be evaluated at our center in Paterson or screened during a scheduled EFEED® videoconferencing session.
- Evaluation: Patients accepted into the program (following the screening process) must be seen at the center for an initial hands-on evaluation.
- Treatment and Follow-up: Once a treatment plan is developed by the team, patients are seen either at the center or during scheduled EFEED® appointments. During EFEED® follow-up sessions, a two-way audiovisual system is supplied by the center to facilitate interaction between families and staff. This direct contact among child study teams, developmental teams, individual teams, individual practitioners and our staff at the center will allow for recommendations and adjustments to be made in real time.
EFEED® is a convenient option for every patient and referral source that accesses our team on an outpatient basis. To learn more, please call 973-754-4322.
Contact Us
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
11 Getty Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07503
973-754-4300
