Feeding and Nutrition

We see children and youth who:

• May have neuromotor or developmental impairments (such as cerebral palsy, developmental delay in a genetic syndrome or a brain injury)
• Have nutritional concerns, or there is a concern for their safety of swallowing (risk of aspiration, risk of choking)

We generally do not provide care for children and youth who:

• Are developing typically with no medical concerns as a result of feeding (e.g. picky eating or selective eating with consistent growth)
• Have feeding difficulties primarily related to sensory or mental health issues (e.g. ARFID, eating disorders, trauma or PTSD)

The clinic consists of a team of clinicians and medical staff. These include developmental pediatricians, nurses, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, dietitians and social workers.

We also provide nutritional support for patients with neuromotor disorders whom a registered dietitian is not following and who meet several additional criteria.

Referral information

To access our services, patients need a referral from a health-care provider. Providers can find more details on the process via the Feeding and Nutrition Referral page. 

Appointment details

Feeding and swallowing consultation/information appointments are scheduled over two days, usually on a Monday/Tuesday or Wednesday/Thursday.

Below is a summary of evaluations that the team may conduct during an appointment.

Clinical eating evaluation 

The occupational therapist and speech-language pathologist talks to you about any concerns with your child or youth's eating and drinking. They conduct an assessment of their oral structures and their function, and observe them eating and drinking.

Bring the following to the appointment:

• A variety of foods your child or youth likes and/or is having particular feeding difficulties with, such as a puree, a soft food, lumpy food, chewing and biting foods (regular foods), and liquids
• Any feeding equipment your child or youth regularly uses for meals, such as nipple and bottle, cup or spoon
• Positioning equipment (infant seat, seat insert, wheelchair, etc.)

Please try to have your child or youth slightly hungry for the evaluation.

Nutrition evaluation with a dietitian

You will receive food intake records before you come for your child or youth's evaluation. Please fill them out and bring them to the appointment. The dietitian uses these records to help determine if their diet meets their nutritional needs. The dietitian reviews their tube-feeding meal plan, if your child or youth uses a tube. The dietitian weighs your child or youth and takes some measurements to help us understand their growth.

Health evaluation

The nurse and/or pediatrician reviews your child or youth's medical history to see if the feeding difficulties affect their health and development. We ask questions about your child or youth's breathing and/or chest problems, reflux and digestion, muscle tone and general development.

Videofluoroscopic swallow study

If we are concerned that your child or youth has a problem with their swallowing, we will recommend an instrumental swallow assessment called a videofluoroscopic swallow study. This study occurs in the Medical Imaging Department at BC Children's Hospital, where the occupational therapist, the speech-language pathologist from Sunny Hill and a radiologist work together. This study involves using a type of X-ray (fluoroscopy) to watch your child or youth swallow various consistencies of foods and liquids mixed with barium. The team works to provide appropriate and supportive positioning. If your child or youth sits in a custom seating system, they may be able to use this during the study.

The appointment time, including set-up, may take up to an hour. We keep exposure time to X-ray as short as possible.

Contact us

We provide services from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Address:
4500 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3N1 

Phone: 604-875-2345

Shary Morrison, Program Team Clerk (Feeding, Tone, NMP Gen Rehab)
Direct phone: 604-453-8371
Fax: 604-453-8360
Email: smorrison@cw.bc.ca