Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Intuitive Feeding Program?
Intuitive Feeding Program offers support to families with children who are struggling with food and mealtimes. We offer comprehensive assessment and various treatment plans to provide families with the strategies to overcome their child's feeding challenges. Our goal is to support, nourish and love through practical individualized strategies for families to foster a healthy relationship with food and enjoyable mealtimes.
What kinds of populations do you work with?
We work with children ages 0-18 who have identified feeding concerns. Some children, but not all have a diagnosis which may contribute to their feeding challenges. A few of the diagnoses of individuals we have supported are: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Developmental Delay.
What services do you provide?
We provide a variety of services to assist with your child's feeding journey. Please see our Services page for more details.
How do I know if Intuitive Feeding is the program for my child and family?
A good fit is crucial to your child's success. We offer a 15 minute consultative phone call to discuss your child's feeding concerns and to provide you with the information you require to make an informed decision.
What to expect in your initial appointment?
In your initial appointment your Feeding Therapist will complete a "in-home" assessment via tele-therapy. This assessment typically lasts 75-90 minutes depending on the complexity of your child's needs and your concerns. This assessment includes: a thorough review of your concerns, discussion of you child's feeding history and development and a meal-time observation. Please prepare a typical meal and serve in the manner you usually do. Don't worry, we are not there to critic your cooking abilities but rather to get a sense of the concerns your child is having with feeding as we gain insight into where they may be stemming from.
What do Registered Dietitian's (R.D.) do?
Registered Dietitian's work in a variety of settings (hospital, sports teams, grocery stores, policy and food companies, private practice, etc.) and with a variety of populations. Upon graduation Dietitian's are certified to work in all fields however some dietitian tend to specialize.
Dietitian’s are food experts who have a scientific background to understand at a cellular level how food affects individuals. Dietitian's look at the whole wellness package understanding how external influences can impact nutrition and work with children and adults to reach their needs.
Leslie is the Registered Dietitian on Intuitive Feeding’s team. She specializes in working with the children, families and caregivers to ensure that optimum nutrition is met so that meal times are filled with enjoyable memories and family connection. Leslie works from a holistic place looking at the needs of the individual child and family’s well-being from the lens of a food expert. Helping navigate texture progression, increasing variety, nutrition assessments, meal time strategies, etc. Fun Fact! Leslie favorite foods are Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (she’s a Celiac) and buddha bowls! She loves sharing her passion for food and well-being with all those around her.
What do Occupational Therapists (O.T.) do?
Occupational Therapy is a broad a health care profession that works with a variety of populations and in many different settings to improve an individual's function. O.T.'s work with individuals to support them in participating in the occupations that are meaningful to them. Typically, these occupations are in the areas of self care, productivity and leisure.
Stephanie is the Occupational Therapist (O.T.) on Intuitive Feeding's team. Stephanie specializes specifically in the occupation of "feeding" to help children engage in their mealtimes in a joyful and fun way! In her feeding therapy practice she looks at the whole person while utilizing principles of sensory regulation, ergonomic positioning, motor, cognitive and emotional development as it relates to a child's function.
Is there coverage available for your services?
Intuitive Feeding offers feeding support under a private fee-for-service model. Families may be able to obtain funding through their private insurance for Registered Dietitian and Occupational Therapy services. Please contact your insurance provider to discuss your plan and coverage. Some families may also have access to a health spending account or may consider applying to Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) Alberta for coverage.
https://www.alberta.ca/fscd.aspx
Intuitive Feeding provides invoices containing our professional practice credentials and registration numbers for easy submission for reimbursement from your insurance company.
Is a referral required?
A referral is not currently required for our program.