The Office of Dr. Betty B. Bostani
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Pediatric Feeding Disorders
Dr. Bostani's graduate training also consisted of a considerable amount
of research in the area of Pediatric Feeding Disorders, in addition to the
development of a feeding scale, and a manual for which publication is
pending. While children on the Autism Spectrum often contend with
feeding issues, Dr. Bostani's assessment and treatment includes
otherwise typically developing children as well who present with these.
The developmental period of feeding is a crucial step in overall childhood
development, as it coincides in time with the child's natural progression
from complete dependency on parent to the desire for complete
autonomy. The balance of these is often a difficult one for parents and
children alike. The development of behavioral feeding disorders (i.e.,
food refusal or selectivity, maladaptive feeding patterns, etc) are quite
common as the result of the considerable difficulty with this balance. Dr.
Bostani provides assessments for the identification of specific patterns
of behavior on the part of both parent and child contributing to and
maintaining the feeding issues, and thereafter provides specific tools and
guidelines with which these patterns and behaviors may be addressed, and
replaced by positive, functional feeding.
It is important to distinguish between a feeding problem that is the result
of an inability to eat versus one that is the result of refusal. A child who is
refusing to eat is believed to have learned the behaviors that allow
him/her to avoid or attempt to control the feeding situation, and the
problem is therefore said to be non-organic. A child who is physically
unable to eat, on the other hand, may be suffering from neuromuscular,
skeletal or metabolic abnormalities (i.e., iron deficiency). Oral-motor
immaturity, breathing or swallowing problems (i.e., cleft palate, cerebral
palsy, and Pierre Robin Syndrome) may also be the cause of the
disorder. Chronic illnesses that effect eating, such as gastroesophageal
reflux, gastrointestinal disease, heart or lung disease, recurrent infections,
and short bowel syndrome have also been known to produce
physiologically related feeding disorders. These problems are said to be
organic and therefore require the attention of a physician to
appropriately address and treat the medically related difficulties. Please
note that Dr. Bostani only assesses and treats non-organic pediatric
feeding disorders.
Dr. Bostani's graduate training also consisted of a considerable amount
of research in the area of Pediatric Feeding Disorders, in addition to the
development of a feeding scale, and a manual for which publication is
pending. While children on the Autism Spectrum often contend with
feeding issues, Dr. Bostani's assessment and treatment includes
otherwise typically developing children as well who present with these.
The developmental period of feeding is a crucial step in overall childhood
development, as it coincides in time with the child's natural progression
from complete dependency on parent to the desire for complete
autonomy. The balance of these is often a difficult one for parents and
children alike. The development of behavioral feeding disorders (i.e.,
food refusal or selectivity, maladaptive feeding patterns, etc) are quite
common as the result of the considerable difficulty with this balance. Dr.
Bostani provides assessments for the identification of specific patterns
of behavior on the part of both parent and child contributing to and
maintaining the feeding issues, and thereafter provides specific tools and
guidelines with which these patterns and behaviors may be addressed, and
replaced by positive, functional feeding.
It is important to distinguish between a feeding problem that is the result
of an inability to eat versus one that is the result of refusal. A child who is
refusing to eat is believed to have learned the behaviors that allow
him/her to avoid or attempt to control the feeding situation, and the
problem is therefore said to be non-organic. A child who is physically
unable to eat, on the other hand, may be suffering from neuromuscular,
skeletal or metabolic abnormalities (i.e., iron deficiency). Oral-motor
immaturity, breathing or swallowing problems (i.e., cleft palate, cerebral
palsy, and Pierre Robin Syndrome) may also be the cause of the
disorder. Chronic illnesses that effect eating, such as gastroesophageal
reflux, gastrointestinal disease, heart or lung disease, recurrent infections,
and short bowel syndrome have also been known to produce
physiologically related feeding disorders. These problems are said to be
organic and therefore require the attention of a physician to
appropriately address and treat the medically related difficulties. Please
note that Dr. Bostani only assesses and treats non-organic pediatric
feeding disorders.
Copyright 2007 Dr. Betty B. Bostani,
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
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