A COLLABORATIVE MODEL FOR IDENTIFYING FEEDING AND NUTRITION NEEDS IN EARLY INTERVENTION

Many infants with special needs who qualify for early intervention (EI ) are at risk for delayed or maladaptive feeding skills and malnutriti on. This may result from a combination of factors including biomedical circumstances as well as a myriad of emotional, physical, and social stresses associated with caring for a child with special health care n eeds. The Nutrition and Feeding Risk Identification Tool (NFRIT) was d eveloped using a family-centered, community-based, coordinated approac h to screening and assessment of nutrition and feeding concerns of fam ilies served through EI. This article describes NFRIT, the collaborati ve process used in its development, pilot-testing, and potential appro aches for implementation.