Development of a Draft Version of a Standardized Intake Form for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

Abstract

Pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders are a significant problem affecting between 25 to 45% of typically developing children within the United States. This estimate increases to between 33 and 80% when children have developmental disabilities (Lefton-Greif and Arvedson, 2007). There is a dearth of epidemiologic information pertaining to this population due to a lack of standardized data collection (Miller, 2009). An inter-disciplinary team approach to evaluation and management is the preferred healthcare model for this population. Yet, the lack of standardized data collection across the small number of such teams within the United States has yielded a paucity of information regarding the benefits of such a healthcare model. In addition, the cost of supporting such teams versus their clinical benefit remains unknown. A standardized method of data collection would significantly contribute to necessary epidemiologic information as well as treatment outcomes for inter-disciplinary team-based evaluation and early intervention (Miller, 2009; Lefton-Greif and Arvedson, 2007). The purpose of this study was to develop a first draft version of a standardized pediatric feeding and swallowing clinical intake form for use by inter-disciplinary feeding and swallowing teams and professionals and to contribute to a national databank.