Making Sense of Responsive Feeding Therapy: The Evidence Behind RFT

Bring more evidence and confidence to the feeding therapy table.

Guests: Jeanne Marshall, PhD, B Sp. Path & Valerie Gent, BAppSc, MMedRes, PhD Candidate

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

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In this episode of Making Sense with Madi, host Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Jeanne Marshall, PhD, B Sp. Path, and Valerie Gent, BAppSc (Speech Pathology), MMedRes, PhD Candidate, to examine the evidence behind responsive feeding therapy and its use with children with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Responsive feeding and responsive feeding therapy are closely related, but they are not the same. Jeanne and Valerie explain the distinction between the two, trace the foundations of responsive feeding therapy, and discuss the research supporting its use as a treatment framework. They also highlight key benefits of a responsive approach and what the evidence can tell clinicians about applying these principles in feeding therapy.

This episode will strengthen your understanding of the research behind responsive feeding therapy and help you feel more confident using this framework when supporting children with PFD and ARFID.

About the Guests: Dr. Jeanne Marshall, PhD, B Sp Path, is an experienced practicing speech pathologist and internationally recognised researcher and educator in pediatric feeding disorder. She holds a conjoint research fellow position between Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service and The University of Queensland, where her research is embedded within a health service environment and driven by the needs of children and families, as well as the clinicians that care for them. Her work spans better diagnostics, early intervention, and awareness and advocacy for pediatric feeding disorder, with a strong focus on preventative health.

Valerie Gent is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist with more than 20 years’ experience working across the lifespan in Dysphagia. She is the Director of Let’s Eat! Feeding Therapy and Co-Director of Feeding Therapy Australia. Val published a kids’ book: “But I’m NOT Hungry for my Dinner” which was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Award in 2022. She also completed a Master of Medical Research exploring the impact of feeding differences for autistic children, graduating with an Award of Excellence in Research Thesis in 2023. Val is currently completing a PhD on a full -time scholarship (2024-2027) at the University of Queensland, focusing on Responsive Feeding Therapy.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Contact Jeanne Marshall: LinkedIn, Instagram, The University of Queensland

Contact Valerie Gent: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Research Gate

Full resource list available on the course page.