Advancing Pediatric Feeding Disorder through Faster Identification, Enhanced Treatment, and Collaborative Care.
Transforming Challenges into Triumphs
Our Feeding Division is dedicated to advancing the care of children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). We aim to accelerate identification, treatment, and enhance collaborative care to ensure every child can thrive.​​
What is PFD and ARFID?
PFD (Pediatric Feeding Disorder):
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Definition: Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) is when a kid has trouble eating or drinking in a way that’s normal for their age. This can happen because of health problems, not getting enough nutrients, trouble with feeding skills, or emotional and social issues.
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Impact: For kids with PFD, eating might hurt, feel scary, or be really hard. This can mess up their nutrition, how they grow, and how they develop overall.
ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder):
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Definition: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is when a kid has a hard time eating because they feel anxious about it. Kids with ARFID might:
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Really dislike how food tastes, feels, or smells.
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Be scared of bad things happening when they eat, like choking or throwing up.
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Not care much about eating or trying new foods, so they only like a few things.
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Impact: Unlike some eating problems where kids worry about how their body looks, ARFID is about avoiding food because of senses, fear, or not being interested. This can lead to not getting enough nutrients, which can be a big problem if it’s not fixed.
HOW WE CAN HELP
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Our Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Occupational Therapy (OT) services offer specialized support to help children thrive at mealtimes—see below for how each makes a unique impact. SLP targets communication and sensory challenges, while OT focuses on skill-building and emotional well-being, addressing distinct needs to create a comprehensive approach to feeding difficulties.
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Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Services: For enhancing oral motor skills, communication related to eating, and managing sensory issues.
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Occupational Therapy (OT) Services: Focused on improving feeding skills, sensory integration, and addressing emotional components of feeding.
Why Choose Us?
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Our feeding experts, highly trained in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Occupational Therapy (OT), deliver specialized care—both online and in-person—to children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), accessible through Medicaid or private billing. With a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatricians, dietitians, and GI specialists, we provide comprehensive, tailored solutions to meet each child’s unique needs, while supporting caregivers with education and counseling to empower families throughout the journey.
Meet Our Therapists
Wendy Alexander​
Wendy Alexander is a passionate pediatric occupational therapist with 25 years of experience. She earned her master’s degree from Pacific University in Oregon before returning to Colorado, where she has worked in the same school district across various roles. She played a key role in launching a preschool program for children with Autism, worked in Early Intervention, and now assesses children for special education eligibility in the Child Find department.
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After earning her Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Feeding Disorders, Wendy founded the Feeding Division at About Kids Home Health. She saw a critical gap in treatment and awareness of Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD) and was excited to create a specialized division to provide comprehensive care for children and their families while supporting therapists in developing their skills in this complex area of treatment.
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Outside of work, Wendy loves being a mom to her two children, practicing hot yoga, dancing, boat surfing, and traveling. With a free spirit and strong faith, she embraces life with joy and gratitude.
About Kids Feeding Division – Pediatric Feeding Specialists
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The Feeding Division at About Kids Home Health is a dedicated team of pediatric therapists specializing in Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD). With advanced training and a passion for helping children thrive, our team provides comprehensive, evidence-based feeding therapy to support infants and children with a wide range of feeding challenges.
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We are committed to filling the gap in awareness and treatment of PFD by empowering families with education, individualized care, and practical strategies to improve mealtime success. In addition to direct therapy, we mentor and train fellow therapists to expand their expertise and confidence in treating feeding disorders.
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to develop a positive and nourishing relationship with food, and we are proud to be at the forefront of specialized feeding therapy
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