Postgraduate in Eating Disorders in Pediatrics

Programme Description

The Postgraduate Programme in Paediatric Feeding Disorders aims to provide professionals in speech and language therapy and audiology with in-depth training in advanced scientific theories and practices in the field, based on functional assessment and therapeutic intervention across different areas of practice, in collaboration with various specialties.

It also provides the knowledge and skills required to intervene from birth through adulthood in the areas of prevention, habilitation and rehabilitation of feeding function disorders. The programme seeks to train professionals in the assessment, diagnosis and intervention of paediatric populations with feeding function alterations, through an understanding of the organic, oromotor, sensory, emotional, behavioural and functional factors involved in childhood feeding difficulties.

Furthermore, it enables participants to become familiar with related areas of assessment and intervention through knowledge exchange among the different professionals forming teams that work with infants, children and young people, as well as their families and caregivers. It promotes critical and creative training, highlighting the importance of the professional role within an interdisciplinary team in any context involving the neopediatric population.

Clinical reasoning based on a wide variety of clinical cases, both in hospital settings and neonatal and paediatric intensive care units, as well as in outpatient care, specialised referral units, day care centres, nurseries and schools.

Finally, the programme encourages and supports speech and language therapists and audiologists in developing research activities, among others, in the field of paediatric feeding behaviour disorders, enabling improvements in professional practice and the advancement of speech and language therapy in this area.

Programme Objectives

• To understand feeding difficulties in children and adolescents and their impact on families from a holistic perspective.
• To analyse the feeding process as a complex learning system involving the coordination of multiple anatomical structures, sensory systems and health disciplines.
• To develop the ability to intervene in feeding difficulties using an interdisciplinary, evidence-based approach.
• To integrate a global view of the feeding process that goes beyond the oral cavity, considering its functional and developmental complexity.
• To promote professional practice aimed at ensuring safe, effective and individualised feeding.

Why should you take this programme?

• You will gain knowledge of feeding development disorders, which are increasingly common and of diverse aetiology.
• You will develop clinical reasoning skills in the field of neopediatric feeding difficulties, enabling you to work autonomously or as part of interdisciplinary teams in the feeding field.

Specialisation in childhood feeding disorders

Although it may appear to be a simple and natural process, feeding is a complex activity involving the coordination of multiple anatomical structures and sensory systems.

During the first weeks of life, this process is mainly reflexive, but it rapidly evolves into a learned behaviour influenced by biological, maturational, environmental and relational factors.

The development of feeding follows a progression from immature sucking patterns to more mature and complex patterns, allowing the gradual introduction of foods with different textures and consistencies, as well as the acquisition of autonomy in feeding.

However, this process does not develop in the same way in all children. Feeding difficulties are common in the paediatric population and can have a significant impact on family dynamics and caregiver relationships.

Some of these difficulties fall within developmental variability, while others may require specific intervention. Their evolution is variable: they may resolve, persist, reappear or become chronic, with varying degrees of severity.

According to scientific evidence, approximately 30% of children with neurotypical development and up to 80% of children with neurodevelopmental disorders present feeding difficulties. In this context, interdisciplinary work is essential to provide appropriate, evidence-based care.

This postgraduate programme brings together healthcare professionals with extensive experience in childhood feeding disorders.

Specialize in Health at UManresa