WELCOME TO BROOKLYN FEEDING ACADEMY

Like all questions of this ilk, the answer is, "That depends." Given that you’re reading the FAQs, we’ll answer the question more succinctly. From a clinical perspective, here is the basic differential we apply when looking at the difference between typical "picky" kids and children who may have a "problem" requiring a more focused approach.

Picky Eaters usually exhibit these behaviors:

Eats a limited range/variety of foods, but over 30 different foods (We look at a 3-day food diary to determine variety) If a child "burns out" on a food and stops eating it, he usually regains the food after 2 weeks Tolerates new foods on plate (maybe not eat, but will at least allow the presence of a new food) and will touch or taste the food. Tolerates food of different textures (purees, chewy solids, crunchy solids). Will, with enough positive exposure, try new foods.

Problem Eaters look more like this:

Eats a restricted range or variety of foods usually well under twenty Foods lost from "burn out" are NOT re-acquired Cries or falls apart with introduction of new foods on the plate Refuses entire categories of food (green foods, meats, chewy foods) Will take forever to acquire a new food item.

We at BFA define a feeding disorder as any mealtime behavior that disrupts the family mealtime routine, or socially isolates a child from full participation in typical routine. If you feel unduly "burdened" by mealtime due to your child’s reluctance to eat and mealtime has become a battle, maybe it's time for some idea’s on a different approach to mealtime. The goal of the BFA is to make mealtime a completely "unremarkable" experience.

When appropriate, the Brooklyn Feeding Academy uses the SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) approach to remediate most difficulties with a child’s approach to food. More specific information about to the approach can be found under the "About Us" tab.

Add an answer to this item.Each child will receive an individualized evaluation, which will determine our approach. Perhaps your child exhibits typical picky behavior that creates a real headache in your life. In that case, we may provide a quick consultation and then brainstorm possible solutions to gently nudge your child along. In more involved cases, we’ll determine a cause and develop a therapeutic approach that works in harmony with the family. We typically employ the SOS approach to feeding, which works in twelve-week cycles and may involve individual or group work as appropriate.

The Brooklyn Feeding Academy believes that addressing feeding difficulties is best done on the child’s home turf. We perform all evaluations over at least two meals in the child’s home, at the table, with the folks responsible for feeding the child. We’ll examine the mealtime dynamic as a whole and determine the direction of therapy. It is critical that your child achieves feeding success with the primary feeder (usually the parent), as opposed to just the therapist. Feeding difficulties almost always arise from a combination of environmental, sensory, behavioral and motoric causation. We’ll work together to unravel your child’s difficulties in the comfort of the family’s home.

We at Brooklyn Feeding Academy will do our best to work with your insurance company to help you obtain reimbursement for services. As NYS licensed Speech/Language Pathologists, our approach has been approved by managed care entities. Coverages can vary, so check with your carrier. Prospective clients may want to obtain a pediatrician’s prescription for feeding therapy, or seek a pre-approval for services. We’ll do our best to provide the information requested by the carrier.