Feeding Clinic

In collaboration with Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital of Loyola University Medical Center, the Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region Feeding Clinic in Villa Park is one of the few feeding clinics in the Chicago area.  Founded in August 2000, the Feeding Clinic is held twice a month at Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region. Three to four children are seen at each clinic over 1.5 hour appointments. The clinic assists children who have problems with attaining or tolerating appropriate nutrition, which is needed for growth and development.

The goal of the Feeding Clinic is to identify the child’s current level of development related to feeding and to provide a home program or ongoing professional recommendations. Children of all ages are invited to attend the feeding clinic.

Who Should Consider the Feeding Clinic?
Children who benefit from the Feeding Clinic may have any of the following conditions:

• Developmental delay or disability
• Neurological disorders
• Metabolic disorders
• Congenital anomalies
• Disorders of oral motor structure or development
• Weight gain or loss
• Improper growth
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal system
• Aspiration, vomiting, choking and/or gagging with feeding
• Non-oral feeding

Eligibility Criteria
Medical necessity for inclusion in our Feeding Clinic requires that your child has concerns in the three following areas: nutrition, feeding and gastroenterology.

Criteria Taken Into Consideration When Developing a Plan for Your Child

• Extent of feeding problem
• Medical and therapeutic history
• Age of the child
• Developmental and functional level of the child
• Cause of the feeding problem
• How the treatment options work into the family’s lifestyle
• Family preferences and needs
• Long term benefits for the child

The Benefits of a Team Approach
This unique environment brings several disciplines together at one location where the multidisciplinary team comprehensively evaluates the child.  With the participation of the child and family, the team discusses the child’s feeding related challenges, creates goals for improved experiences, and works with the parents and ongoing therapists to develop the best treatment plan to assist the child. 

The Feeding Clinic Team
R. Charles Dumont, MD
      Feeding Clinic Medical Director
      Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
      Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Hepatology and Nutrition
Cindy Baranoski, MS, RD, LDN
      Clinic Coordinator
      Nutrition Therapist
Judy Gardner, MA, CCC-SLP
      Speech Pathologist/Feeding Therapist
Connie Swan, MS, CCC-SLP
      Speech Pathologist/Feeding Therapist
Sharon Pike
      Parent Liaison
Parents of the Child
Other involved therapists and/or caregivers

Referrals
Referrals can be made by parents, physicians, nurses, family care coordinators, therapists or other health care professionals. You will need a prescription from your child’s physician.

How to Make an Appointment
Please contact Mary Beth Scholtes at 630-261.6287

Location
Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region
830 S. Addison Ave.
Villa Park IL 60181

Note: The Feeding Clinic is an evaluation process and does not provide ongoing therapy.  However, if on going services are recommended, information will be provided.

Click Here for information on Nutrition Therapy