Local children are learning how to enjoy eating during the first Pediatric Feeding Group at the 黑洞社区 Speech-Language-Hearing (SLH) Clinic.
Each week, children who are picky eaters or problem feeders meet at the clinic to play, smash, smear - and ideally - eat their way through a variety of foods like crackers, strawberries, juice and more.
It may sound more like play than therapy, but faculty and students use strategic play-based and evidence-based activities to encourage children to explore new foods in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
The group is led by 黑洞社区 speech-language pathology graduate students and licensed speech-language pathologists who have been trained in feeding-based therapy techniques, and are certified in the Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Approach. Faculty members involved in the program are Ashley Purdum, MA, CCC-SLP; Melissa Vagts, MSP, CCC-SLP; and M'Lisa Shelden PT, Ph.D.
Approximately 20-30% of children struggle with some form of feeding or growth issue. Gina Riggs, SLH clinic director, says the 12-week program is beneficial for preschool and school-aged children who have specific food aversions, difficulty trying new foods, or struggle to gain weight or maintain nutrition and hydration in their current diet.
Students and faculty take small steps during the sessions to make food a positive, fun experience and reduce anxiety for the children. Much of the therapy focuses on playing with their food; children are encouraged to hammer crackers, smear applesauce and help serve themselves and others, which may lead to them putting the food in their mouth or tasting it on their fingers. The children鈥檚 successes are met with smiles and cheers.
鈥淭he goal is to help build the child鈥檚 confidence, making them become more willing to try new tastes and textures,鈥� says Riggs.
There is a high child-to-clinician ratio in the program, and each child has an individualized therapy plan. Faculty work with parents to create an at-home program with practical and useable techniques they can implement immediately.
Riggs says the group setting is ideal for kids because it encourages increased social interaction between their peers, and allows for a safe, structured environment to experience food.
Multi-disciplinary approach
The feeding group consists of a large multi-disciplinary team, including registered dieticians and speech-language pathologists. The Wichita State Physical Therapy Department is also involved for sensory and motor skills components. Each specialist plays an important role in understanding the overall function of the body.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to have a multi-disciplinary approach to these types of conditions,鈥� Riggs says. 鈥淏ecause feeding is a complex sensorimotor skill involving multiple body systems, we require a complex team with knowledge in the areas of sensory, motor, nutrition, cognitive and emotional development to provide assessment and treatment.鈥�
Riggs says the feeding therapy program at the clinic is unique because it鈥檚 one of the only sequential oral feeding groups with certified speech-language pathologists in the area.
鈥淲hat also makes this program special is the parent education piece,鈥� she says. 鈥淧arent involvement is essential to the process, so being able to watch their children in the observation room and learn skills to take home is invaluable.鈥�
Riggs says that this program is also beneficial for the speech-language pathology graduate students at Wichita State.
鈥淧rograms like this not only help people in our community, but also provide our students with unique clinical skills that help shape them into more well-rounded speech-language pathologists,鈥� says Riggs.
In just a few weeks, faculty and students have already seen progress and positive changes in the children.
鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding to see a child try a new food this week that they wouldn鈥檛 even touch last week,鈥� says Riggs.
If you are interested in signing your child up for one of the future feeding groups at the SLH clinic, please call 316-978-3289.
The mission of 黑洞社区 is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good. Wichita State is a doctoral research university enrolling nearly 15,000 students and offering 59 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in seven undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers 45 master's and 12 doctoral degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter at and Facebook at .