Anne B. Harris, MPH, RD, is the Nutrition Training Director
at the USC University Affiliated Program, Childrens
Hospital Los Angeles.
Paula Connolly is parent of a child with
special health care needs. The Connolly's live
in Iowa.
Session
Resources
American Dietetic
Association This is the the leading professional
organization in the field. The website includes
a position paper on "Nutrition Services for Children
with Special Needs", and a special interest group
Dietetics in Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders.
This organization offers publications, resource
guides, regional meetings and resource professionals.
Focus is on four practice areas: developmental
disabilities, psychiatric disorders, chemical
dependency and eating disorders. ADA also has
a Policy and Advocacy section and promotes Medical
Nutrition Therapy as a billable service by health
insurance. Resources include an extensive Reimbursement
Bibliography, information on their successful
campaign to pass the Medicare Nutrition Therapy
Act of 1999, technical assistance on coding and
billing for these services, and outcomes research.
The LaLeche
League is an international organization dedicated
solely to promoting breastfeeding. The website
has extensive resources concerning all aspects
of breastfeeding, research on infant nutrition,
training opportunities for professionals, and
education and support for parents. Materials are
available in many languages. The "Breastfeeding
Help" section includes a section entitled Breastfeeding
Disabled or Handicapped Babies, and includes information
links on Down syndrome, cleft lip/palate, PKU
and hospitalized babies and children. Stories
contributed by parents are also included.
NutritionFocus
This is a health and wellness portal about diseases,
treaments, vitamins, minerals, nutrition, herbs,
supplements and supplementation.
Comeunity
This website focuses on both children with disabilities
and international adoption. Has a detailed listing
on "Resources for Feeding and Growth", with links
to research on nutrition and CSHCN, listservs
and chat rooms for families, mailing lists for
dysphagia (swallowing disorders), G-tube feeding,
and for parents of premature babies. Also covers
feeding disorders, feeding therapy, and growth
disorders. Good balance of family-friendly and
technical information.
Let
us know what you think of the webcast session,
as well as your suggestions for future shows,
by sending us a message at kmco@uic.edu.
