The COVID-19 quarantine has been very challenging for many businesses. Fortunately, conducting telehealth feeding therapy “tele-feeding” is not new to Pediatric Feeding Services. I have been using this method of treatment for my long distance and out of the country clients for many years now. Although this was a change for my local kiddos, both the children and the parents have all stepped up to the challenge and are doing great! I have added some new tools, shared screens and video games, helped teach pureeing, and perfected demonstration for feeding techniques on myself and my daughter’s old American Girl doll! While in-person visits are always my preference, tele-health can offer some extra advantages in addition to limiting social contact.
For the younger kiddos or those who may be in the midst of “stranger danger,” having the therapist on the computer is fun! Most are familiar with and love a screen and now the screen is interacting with them directly. We have had fun showing each other cool toys and I have gotten very creative with different ways to play with my son’s old matchbox cars. The boys love them! Not having to work through “getting to know each other” has helped to have a productive session right from the start.
During in-person therapy I typically sit on the side of the child for better handling/placement and to make the child feel less “threatened.” When using live video streaming I get a really nice center view of the child and can pick up on subtle oral motor skill issues I may not have seen clearly in person. I can also have the parent zoom up for a super close view when we are using the phone.
The coaching model of tele-feeding makes parents pick up the pace with working on feeding and the home program. There is no hiding behind me - it is all them. Although this can be stressful and tiresome, it has been a confidence booster to show parents how capable they are!
Not having to juggle around the school, homework and after school activities has made scheduling a little easier. Everyone is home so there is more time to practice new foods and prepare foods throughout the day (when they can find the ingredients in the store). Many of these picky eaters seem a little more relaxed which helps when working on learning to eat new foods.
Having a much shorter commute time and not having to fit drive time in between appointments has been an added bonus and has allowed me to be more flexible and add more children to my schedule. Being able help out more families is always great!
Like home treatment, tele-feeding can come with some struggles as well as comic relief. Some days the internet connection is not great, we can’t hear each other, or there might be a passing thunderstorm or power outage. I have been flipped off the table when the dog hit the power cord, have traveled in the back seat of the car during an on-the-go session, and have also been carried around the house to see new toys.
As in many households, my whole family has been working from home. The other conference calls in the house are far less fun than mine. Though I am in my office in a confidential space, I have been told that I yell when I trying to instruct over a crying child (for some reason I feel if I am loud on my side the parent will hear me better.. that’s funny). I also sound super excited shouting “Yay!!!” and other sounds of joy. Although they may hear “take your bite” and “chew and swallow” a couple 100 times a day through the walls, they know I am doing my best to help my patients continue to grow.
Although this has been a shift in practice model, I continue to feel so blessed to be able to do what I love everyday! Through tele-health I have been able to continue to help children and families in need even during these unusual and challenging times. If you have a child who is struggling with feeding, you don’t have to wait for help. Please reach out to me and we can discuss your case and see if tele-feeding would be a good option for you! Please stay safe and stay well!
