Anyone go through KKI or Mt. Washington intensive feeding programs?

[Anonymous]

Hi Neighbors,

I'm desperately looking to find parents who have had their children go through the intensive feeding programs at Mt. Washington or KKI. We've been doing outpatient at KKI for 4 mo and now they are saying that we need to day treatment. Their approach is aggressive, but I know they get results. I've been using their approach while feeling sick about doing it, but I'm trusting the experts and know as a child psychologist that sometimes we have to push our kids through a lot of discomfort. Mt. Washington is gentler, but I'm already in with KKI and can start in about 2 mo, and they are the leaders. Mt. Washington is another 6 mo wait list at least. I don't want to have to do two intensive programs. But I am just so worried that there would be some negative impact longer term of the more aggressive approach. Wondering if anyone actually tried the KKI intensive and had a negative experience or anyone who's child really benefited from Mt. Washington. I don't think I could offer my child any reward that would get him to take a bite of normal toddler foods like fish sticks or chicken nuggets or even grilled cheese and pizza are a no. Eats plenty of things, just not proteins unless egg in a waffle or now he can have dairy and will eat cheese and yogurt. No veggies other than peas, and we have to use reward foods to get him to eat those at home. Doesn't like to drink, maybe 5-8 oz per day, often also using rewards.

Typically developing 2yo with history of reflux, constipation, and food sensitivities, but all is better now. No sensory issues. Selective eating, healthy weight.

I'm not looking for advice from parents who have not actually had experience from the programs or know someone who has, and I don't need parents telling me not to force feed my child or go with my gut or that a child with healthy weight doesn't need this. I really just want to hear anecdotal information.

Thanks!
Michelle

[Anonymous]

What does your ped say?

[Anonymous]

We did KKI outpatient. They do put pressure on you to consider inpatient. They also put pressure on you to consider a feeding tube. I think this is part of their protocols and liability considerations.

We found the outpatient program very helpful for our child of similar age to yours who actually had more severe motoric issues. I would do it.

Their approach is team led and while there are assertive/aggressive voices there are also common sense and behavioral plans developed that our young child responded to. I think you can take and leave what works.

[Anonymous]

By the way, if you post in Special Needs, there's some cuckoo who will inevitably post there to claim that they will tie down your child and force feed him/her. I saw nothing of the kind. And we were the ones in charge of every decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By the way, if you post in Special Needs, there's some cuckoo who will inevitably post there to claim that they will tie down your child and force feed him/her. I saw nothing of the kind. And we were the ones in charge of every decision.

NP, but I’d still consider posting this to Special Needs, and then ignore the poster PP is talking about. You might also want to remove identifying information in your original post, but that’s up to you. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Never been to that specific program, but my son is on feeding therapy for more than 1 year. His progress is so little, and they encourage eating with fun & trial instead of forceful feeding. Your 2 year old son eats a lot better than my currently 5 year old, I would say. I know you don't want to hear it, I think your son is eating fine & considered in normal range. My other kid eats everything, so it is not related to any of my parenting issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does your ped say?

She doesn't really know anything about the programs and said she heard better things about KKI than Children's, so referred me there, which is what we've been doing outpatient for the past 4 mo. She had never heard of Mt. Washington but someone else suggested I look into it due to gentler approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never been to that specific program, but my son is on feeding therapy for more than 1 year. His progress is so little, and they encourage eating with fun & trial instead of forceful feeding. Your 2 year old son eats a lot better than my currently 5 year old, I would say. I know you don't want to hear it, I think your son is eating fine & considered in normal range. My other kid eats everything, so it is not related to any of my parenting issue.

My child will not eat any meats or proteins, no pizza, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, PB&J, fish sticks, beans, eggs, or vegetables. He is at a healthy weight because we can get enough calories in him with cheerios, noodles, and fruit. So he is definitely NOT eating ok and will not try any new foods and drops foods he had previously eaten without ever picking them back up. He has never once eaten what we eat at meals. Again, I know that my child has a problem, otherwise he wouldn't have been to feeding therapy twice, and he's not made progress in either, justifying a more intensive approach.