FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

'Paediatric feeding disorder' is an umbrella term for problems a child may have with eating and drinking that are not expected for their age. Children with paediatric feeding disorders may have difficulties with the skills needed for feeding (e.g., chewing, swallowing), may eat less or a smaller variety than other children, and/or may have mealtime behaviour that is challenging to understand and manage. Paediatric feeding disorders can be associated with other medical or developmental conditions, but they can also occur when there is no other condition present. Terms that describe aspects of paediatric feeding disorders include 'dysphagia', 'picky eating', and 'tube dependence'. There is some overlap between paediatric feeding disorders and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Dr Sanchez can support families with a range of eating and drinking difficulties, whether or not the child has a diagnosis, or other medical/developmental challenges.

Not at all. We welcome referrals from health and education professionals,(https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/new-referrals) but no referral is needed. Simply contact us t(https://www.proteatherapy.com.au/new-clients)o ask for your child to be added to our waiting list.

Dr Sanchez can see: • Children with self-managed NDIS funding. Dr Sanchez is a PhD-qualified speech pathologist, (not a medical doctor) so her services are most commonly funded in the 'Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living' portion of an NDIS plan. • Children with Medicare funding via the following plans: • Chronic Disease Management Pathway (https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mbsprimarycare-chronicdiseasemanagement)(requires GP plan) • Follow Up Allied Health Services for People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Descent (https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mbsprimarycare_mbsitems81300_81360)(requires GP plan) • Helping Children with Autism/(https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/autism-children)Better Start for Children with a Disability (https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/children_disability)(requires paediatrician or psychiatrist plan) • Children with private health insurance. Whether your insurance covers speech pathology will depend on your provider and level of cover. Please speak to your insurance provider to determine whether your cover includes speech pathology services.

No problem! We also see private fee paying clients.

Our fees are available on request. This helps us to make sure that we are providing accurate and up-to-date information about our fee schedule to potential clients, and is consistent with advice from Speech Pathology Australia.

Dr Katherine Sanchez has extensive training and experience working with children with paediatric feeding disorders. By working exclusively in this area, she is able to support a greater number of children with feeding needs more effectively. Dr Sanchez works closely with other speech pathologists to ensure that her clients' communication needs are also met.

We can provide one-off assessments where required.

We know that it is important to feel that your therapist has the experience and expertise to work with your child. Dr Sanchez has experience working with children with a wide range of medical and developmental diagnoses, and has the knowledge and skills to manage a range of feeding problems, even if she has not encountered your child's specific diagnosis before. In addition to her clinical work, Dr Sanchez works in research, tertiary education, and science communication; and uses cutting-edge research to best support each of her clients.

Dr Katherine Sanchez has trained in a wide range of clinical approaches and techniques, including, but not limited to: • Responsive Feeding Therapy • SOS Feeding Therapy • Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility • The Get Permission Approach to Feeding • Cervical Auscultation She loves attending professional development and her list of postgraduate trainings is constantly growing.

We strive to offer neurodiversity-affirming and inclusive services, meeting clients and families where they are and individualising our approach to meet the needs of all kinds of brains and bodies. Here is some more information about neurodiversity affirming practice (https://www.livedexperienceeducator.com/blog/neurodiversityaffirmingpractice)from lived-experience advocate Sonny-Jane Wise. We are committed to providing a safe and equitable environment for a diverse range of families and clients. This includes supportive and affirming care for rainbow families and LGBTIQ children. We are open to feedback on ways that our service could be more inclusive and welcoming.

Yes! We offer telehealth services within Australia (with some limitations based on state legislation.)

We do not offer mobile services at present. However, we do offer telehealth services, which can be effective in meeting some of the same needs as mobile services.

There is usually a waiting list for Dr Sanchez's services. We try to keep this waiting list as short as possible, including by only accepting referrals for paediatric feeding disorders. New referrals are triaged so that we can prioritise seeing children who may be at a higher risk of becoming unwell as a result of their feeding challenges more quickly. You can improve your chances of being seen as soon as possible by: • Contacting us and completing our intake form as promptly as possible • Providing accurate and complete information about the child's feeding support needs • Responding quickly if we contact you regarding an initial appointment Please contact us if your child's feeding problems become more severe while they are on our waiting list.