Un groupe thérapeutique parents-enfants à destination des troubles précoces du comportement alimentaire

Food is an essential aspect in a young child's development and represents a focus of attention for every parent. Feeding behaviors in a child are characterized by a lack of pleasure and can put into question the quality of the parent-child relationship. These disorders can range from opposition to total refusal to eat. While a majority of these disorders are temporary some persist and have an impact on the infant's psychosocial and emotional development. Diagnosis and care are essential. Since 2012, a therapeutic group called “Little Spoons” has provided weekly group care for four children aged 0 to 3 years, accompanied by the parent(s). The children have eating disorders of various origins (severe prematurity consequences, young child depressive disorders…). Our group care concerns stimulation, games and meals, and it is planned over a period of twelve weeks. Children are followed by a referent consultant from our health care department who prescribes the “Little Spoons” program. With this therapeutic group, we work on the relationship dimension around the food, sensoriality and oral pleasure. Three professionals (educator, psychiatric nurse and social assistant) compose our nursing staff. We illustrate our program by presenting some clinical cases.