Feeding Assessment Program

Helping Children and Families with Feeding Challenges

The Feeding Assessment Program (FAP) is a multidisciplinary consultation program designed to evaluate children with feeding difficulties. Using a team-based approach, children and their caregivers are seen together during a single visit, allowing our specialists to gain a complete picture of each child’s feeding needs.

During each session, the FAP team provides a one-time comprehensive consultation for 3–4 patients.

Our Multidisciplinary Team

Your child will be evaluated by experts from multiple specialties, including:

• Gastroenterology

• Psychology

• Developmental Pediatrics

• Nutrition/Dietetics

• Feeding Therapy

This collaborative approach helps ensure that medical, developmental, behavioral, and nutritional factors are all considered.

Conditions We Assess

The Feeding Assessment Program evaluates a wide range of feeding concerns, including:

• Texture sensitivity

• Changes in feeding patterns

• Feeding refusal

• Difficulty swallowing

Program Schedule & Location

• Meeting Schedule: Quarterly

  • January, April, July, and October

  • First Thursday morning of each month

• Location:

  • Gastroenterology Outpatient Suite
    4th Floor, Main Hospital, Norfolk

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Please bring the following items to help us provide the best evaluation possible:

• Insurance information
• Copay (if applicable)
• Current medication list with doses
• Lgl Guardian ID
• A completed 3-day food diary
• Your child’s favorite foods
• Familiar utensils, cups, and containers

Important: Please ensure your child arrives hungry, if medically appropriate.

What to Expect During the Visit

• Appointments last approximately 45–60 minutes.

• The visit begins with the feeding therapist feeding and observing your child, as well as watching caregiver–child interactions during feeding.

• The full team then joins to gather a detailed feeding and medical history.

• The gastroenterology and developmental specialists will examine your child.

• The team meets privately to discuss findings and recommendations.

• One team member will return to review impressions and recommendations with your family.

After the visit:

• Families receive a written summary of the evaluation.

• A copy is sent to the child’s primary care provider.

• Resources are identified, and referrals are made when appropriate.

• Some children may continue follow-up care with individual team members in their outpatient clinics.