A sound understanding of feeding development provides a framework for understanding feeding difficulties and facilitates goal setting [14-16].

Regardless of the feeding difficulties of the individual child, a goal for all children and their families is that mealtimes become a time of  enjoyment and pleasant interaction [16].  Children are unlikely to accept new foods and learn positive new behaviours in a stressful environment while parents may have difficulty implementing strategies if mealtimes are not enjoyable or alternatively stress-filled.  

Examples of goals based on the clinical assessment and identification of factors contributing to the development of feeding difficulties are included in the case scenarios.

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