Dr. Tessa Taylor

Paediatric Feeding International provides in-home intensive treatment and remote consultation for families for feeding difficulties and tube weaning. Intervention is individualised/tailored for the child and family, and works quickly (in weeks). Tube feeds are reduced gradually as they succeed, rather than using starvation. We teach mealtime skills like using utensils, cup drinking, and chewing, and increase texture. We use a variety of healthy foods from all food groups, rather than just a sweet puree or snack/junk food. We directly help and support the parents to learn to how to do it themselves. We can help with meals in the community too such as childcare and restaurants. Medicare and NDIS can fund it. This is the only well-established empirically-supported treatment with 50 years of evidence, previously only in a handful of locations in the USA. The approach is individualised, data-driven, and direct, with significant caregiver support. Dr. Taylor is available internationally for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), tube dependence, selectivity (picky/fussy eaters), mealtime behaviour and skills (cup drinking, utensils, chewing), medication refusal, and pica. Dr. Taylor has nearly 25 years of experience. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed research publications and 3 book chapters, and has over 50 professional presentations internationally. She completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship in paediatric feeding at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine/Kennedy Krieger Institute where she remained on as faculty in the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program. Her experience spans a variety of ages, settings, conditions (autism and disabilities), and interdisciplinary team coordinations. Currently remote/telehealth services only.