Sie Center Pilot Research Grant to Fund Pediatric Swallowing Screening

Arwen Jackson, a speech language pathologist at the Sie Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO), along with her colleagues Jennifer Maybee (speech language pathologist) and Jenna Mathews (occupational therapist), were awarded the inaugural Sie Center Pilot Research Grant. The research team will utilize the grant to validate a screening tool that aims to better identify children at risk of developing pediatric feeding disorders during the transitional feeding stage. This period typically occurs in toddlerhood when complementary foods are introduced. It is also one of the developmental stages where children with Down syndrome often face significant feeding challenges and require targeted interventions. Children with Down syndrome are at a higher risk of experiencing pediatric feeding disorders than their peers without Down syndrome. These challenges include differences in chewing and swallowing, mealtime behaviors, and difficulty with intake or nutrition.

This study holds exciting promise for both research and clinical practice. Better understanding feeding development in children with Down syndrome has the potential to lead to earlier interventions and more innovative treatment plans. A screening tool targeted at the transitional feeding stage of development has never been validated for use in children with Down syndrome. Having a valid screening tool would enable future researchers to better design studies with clearly measurable outcomes related to feeding and swallowing in Down syndrome. The study is expected to run for a year.

“We are deeply grateful for this grant, which empowers us to advance research that can meaningfully improve quality of life and access to essential resources for young children with Down syndrome,” said Jackson. “Through this support, we aim to bridge research and practice, translating scientific knowledge into tangible benefits for the community we serve.”

This study also encourages important interdisciplinary research collaboration among specialists in Down syndrome, feeding development, swallowing, and food science. Notably, Dr. Carolyn Ross, a food scientist who has already conducted research on food texture acceptance in individuals with Down syndrome, is involved.

While clinicians and medical providers in Down syndrome clinics often have the most expertise in caring for people with Down syndrome, their ability to amplify their impact through research participation can by limited by a lack of time and/or funding. The Sie Center Pilot Grant hopes to address some of these issues by providing recipients with seed funding up to $50K and mentorship through the clinical research process.

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