Additional information:
Alisa Fritzhand is a licensed, and certified, Speech-Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience, who specializes in pediatric feeding and communication. She graduated with high honors with a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University in 1993. Alisa currently works in private practice, serves as a covering clinician at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital (supporting feeding in the premature and medically fragile populations), and provides clinical care and supervision (in feeding and speech therapy) at the Westchester Institute for Human Development. Alisa works with families who are struggling with pediatric feeding difficulties stemming from a wide variety of etiologies (prematurity, failure to thrive, reflux, cleft palate, oral motor weakness, food allergies, sensory issues, etc.). She provides evaluation and care for breastfed, bottle fed and tube fed babies, supports safe feeding transitions to puree, solids and cup drinking, helps manage chewing difficulties, and works with families on expanding food repertoires (for “difficult to feed” or “picky eaters”) to support healthy physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. She takes a holistic approach to feeding that incorporates understanding feeding readiness and development, providing direct intervention strategies, and supporting parental feeding skills. She values a collaborative team approach that includes the family and other healthcare providers (pediatrician, lactation consultant, nutritionist, pulmonologist, gastroenterologist etc.). Her ultimate goal is to empower families dealing with pediatric feeding disorder to support healthy development through education, compassionate care and collaborative support.