Munroe-Meyer Institute
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University of Nebraska Medical Center

Starting Early: Eating & Developmental Skills

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This program offers children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or intellectual and developmental disability individualized, one-on-one feeding and other developmental/behavioral services within a classroom setting.

  • Also known as SEEDS, our Starting Early: Eating & Developmental Skills Program is offered in the morning (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) or the afternoon (1:30-4:30 p.m.), five days per week.
  • This program is appropriate for children ages 2-10 years.
  • Children typically stay in this program until they reach their feeding goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Families choose for their child to attend either the morning or afternoon session, and they usually attend Monday through Friday.
  • Children typically stay in the program until they reach their feeding goals.
  • Most parents and caregivers drop their child off for this program in the same way they would for school, although you are always welcome to stay and observe.
  • We find that some parent/caregiver involvement is crucial for children to meet their goals. We ask caregivers to attend one 45-60 minute outpatient appointment per week with the behavior analyst to get updates, ask questions and work directly on feeding with their child.

Patients in this program work with a behavior analyst and behavior technicians.

This program is different for a number of reasons:

  • The primary focus of this program is feeding issues.
  • The behavior analyst and behavior technicians are experts in assessing and treating feeding problems.
  • The teaching that happens between feeding sessions focuses on:
    • Development of communication, social and self-care skills (toileting, dressing, tooth brushing.)
    • Reducing challenging behavior (such as aggression) rather than a broad, comprehensive range of skills that is typical in other early intervention applied behavior analysis programs.

Our clinic coordinator is happy to work with you and your insurance company regarding insurance coverage for this program.

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Screening Form

Before scheduling an evaluation, we first require that a screening form be completed and sent to us. We use the information provided in the form and other documents requested to develop an individualized treatment plan for your child. Filling out this form is the first step to scheduling an appointment.

Contact Us

MMI Department of Pediatric Feeding Disorders

Online Screening Form Help

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Make an Appointment

Filling out the screening form is the first step to scheduling an appointment. Once we receive the completed screening form, we will contact you to schedule an evaluation appointment for your child.