The Power of Collaborative Care: The Speech Pathologists Role in a Multi-Disciplinary Team Assessing and Treating Feeding Disorders
Tracks
4
Assessment
Collaboration
Dysphagia
Early intervention
Evidence based practice
Feeding
Infant feeding
Mental health
Multidisciplinary practice
Orofacial myofunctional disorders
Paediatric/Infant
Quality improvement
Swallowing
Therapy
| Friday, June 13, 2025 |
| 12:10 PM - 12:20 PM |
Overview
Kirsten Duffy and Sophie Thorpe
Details
⏫ In-practice
⏲️ 12.10pm - 12.30pm
⌛ 20-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Intermediate (Some previous learning/working knowledge of topic e.g. treated a few cases)
⏲️ 12.10pm - 12.30pm
⌛ 20-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Intermediate (Some previous learning/working knowledge of topic e.g. treated a few cases)
Presenter
Miss Kirsten Duffy
The Talbot Centre
The Power of Collaborative Care: The Speech Pathologists Role in a Multi-Disciplinary Team Assessing and Treating Feeding Disorders
12:10 PM - 12:30 PMPresentation summary
This presentation will illuminate the critical role of Speech Pathologists within a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in addressing the complexities of feeding disorders, specifically focusing on Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD). By integrating current research with clinical practice and data, the presentation aims to enhance understanding of feeding difficulties and the importance of collaborative care in optimizing client outcomes.
The intricate and complex nature of feeding disorders will be explored, drawing on recent research to outline common challenges faced by children with ARFID and PFD and the characteristics of their feeding challenges. The discussion will cover the prevalence of areas such as oro-motor difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and psychological factors that complicate feeding, providing a data-driven perspective on the need for multidisciplinary care for this population.
The presentation will highlight how speech pathologists contribute significantly to the assessment and treatment processes concerning oral structures and the oral motor skills necessary for successful eating. This discussion will align these practices with the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice, emphasizing a framework for ethical and effective intervention.
Additionally, the presentation will address the limitations of isolated approaches to treatment, underscoring the importance of MDT collaboration for speech pathologists working in feeding. Effective referrals and communication will be discussed while incorporating perspectives from various team members.
Finally, the presentation will incorporate parent feedback on the impact of a multidisciplinary approach, aiming to understand their experiences and concerns. This insight is crucial for creating family-centered interventions that meet the diverse and complex needs of children with feeding difficulties.
By emphasizing the power of collaborative care, this presentation will advocate for a comprehensive and informed approach to treating feeding disorders, showcasing the essential role of Speech Pathologists within a multidisciplinary framework.
The intricate and complex nature of feeding disorders will be explored, drawing on recent research to outline common challenges faced by children with ARFID and PFD and the characteristics of their feeding challenges. The discussion will cover the prevalence of areas such as oro-motor difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and psychological factors that complicate feeding, providing a data-driven perspective on the need for multidisciplinary care for this population.
The presentation will highlight how speech pathologists contribute significantly to the assessment and treatment processes concerning oral structures and the oral motor skills necessary for successful eating. This discussion will align these practices with the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice, emphasizing a framework for ethical and effective intervention.
Additionally, the presentation will address the limitations of isolated approaches to treatment, underscoring the importance of MDT collaboration for speech pathologists working in feeding. Effective referrals and communication will be discussed while incorporating perspectives from various team members.
Finally, the presentation will incorporate parent feedback on the impact of a multidisciplinary approach, aiming to understand their experiences and concerns. This insight is crucial for creating family-centered interventions that meet the diverse and complex needs of children with feeding difficulties.
By emphasizing the power of collaborative care, this presentation will advocate for a comprehensive and informed approach to treating feeding disorders, showcasing the essential role of Speech Pathologists within a multidisciplinary framework.
Refrences
We will utilise formulated data from our internal database, as well as our professional experience, along with the following published resources:
Burr, S., Harding, S., Wren, Y., & Deave, T. (2020). The relationship between feeding and non-nutritive sucking behaviours and speech sound development: A systematic review. Folia Phoniatr Logop, 73(2), 75-88. https://doi.org/10.1159/000505266
Cormack, J., Rowell, K., & Postăvaru, G.-I. (2020). Self-Determination Theory as a theoretical framework for a responsive approach to child feeding. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 52(6), 646–651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2020.02.005
Engle, P. L., & Pelto, G. H. (2011). Responsive feeding: Implications for policy and program implementation. The Journal of Nutrition, 141(3), 508–511. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.110.130039
Haaften, V. L., Lagarde, M., Gerven, V. M., Groot, D. S., Harding, C., Engel-Hoek, V. D. L., & Hulst, V. K. (2024). The non-speech oral movement assessment for children. Folia Phoniatr Logop, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1159/000536485
Kerzner, B., Milano, K., MacLean C. W., Berall, G., Stuart, S., & Chatoor, I. (2015). A practical approach to classifying and managing feeding difficulties. Pediatrics, 135(2), 344-353. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-1630
Speech Pathology Australia. (2020). Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia. https://speechpathologyaustralia.cld.bz/Speech-Pathology-Australia-Professional-Standards-2020
Burr, S., Harding, S., Wren, Y., & Deave, T. (2020). The relationship between feeding and non-nutritive sucking behaviours and speech sound development: A systematic review. Folia Phoniatr Logop, 73(2), 75-88. https://doi.org/10.1159/000505266
Cormack, J., Rowell, K., & Postăvaru, G.-I. (2020). Self-Determination Theory as a theoretical framework for a responsive approach to child feeding. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 52(6), 646–651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2020.02.005
Engle, P. L., & Pelto, G. H. (2011). Responsive feeding: Implications for policy and program implementation. The Journal of Nutrition, 141(3), 508–511. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.110.130039
Haaften, V. L., Lagarde, M., Gerven, V. M., Groot, D. S., Harding, C., Engel-Hoek, V. D. L., & Hulst, V. K. (2024). The non-speech oral movement assessment for children. Folia Phoniatr Logop, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1159/000536485
Kerzner, B., Milano, K., MacLean C. W., Berall, G., Stuart, S., & Chatoor, I. (2015). A practical approach to classifying and managing feeding difficulties. Pediatrics, 135(2), 344-353. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-1630
Speech Pathology Australia. (2020). Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia. https://speechpathologyaustralia.cld.bz/Speech-Pathology-Australia-Professional-Standards-2020
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Kirsten is a senior speech pathologist with a passion for paediatric feeding. She has a specific interest in developing awareness and innovation in the feeding space, as well as empowering clinicians with the tools and resources needed to effectively service this population.
Miss Sophie Thorpe
The Talbot Centre
The Power of Collaborative Care: The Speech Pathologists Role in a Multi-Disciplinary Team Assessing and Treating Feeding Disorders
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM**********
The information contained in this program is current at of the time of publishing but is subject to changes made without notice.
Disclaimer: © (2024) The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited. All rights reserved.
Important Notice, please read: The views expressed in this presentation and reproduced in these materials are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited ("the Association"). The Association makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content, currency or accuracy of any of the materials comprised in this presentation. The Association expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of these materials and the information contained within them. The Association recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this presentation including in any of the materials referred to or otherwise incorporated into this presentation.
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