To address the educational needs of nutritionists and other health care providers, a distance education curriculum has been developed. This curriculum consists of self-study and group study modules.

Self-study Curriculum
Group-study Curriculum

Nutrition and Children with Special Health Care needs: Self-study curriculum

Begin the modules: http://depts.washington.edu/pwdlearn/web/intro.php

The curriculum is made up of 6 comprehensive modules:

• Assessment and Interpretation of Growth
• Dietary Assessment and Determining Individual Needs
• Feeding Skills
• Fluid and Bowel Problems
• Integrating Community Services and Programs
• Putting It All Together...Developing a family-centered plan

Each module includes practical examples of evidenced-based practice and is followed by a reference and resource list.

The curriculum is ideal for:

• Clinicians who see children with special health care needs as part of their practices
• Learners who cannot travel to existing training programs
• Nutritionists who want to learn more about working with children with special needs but do not have a 6-hour block of time to commit to training

Continuing Education

Each module is approved for 1 hour of CPE from the American Dietetic Association's Commission on Dietetic Registration through May 31, 2007. To receive continuing education units, Registered Dietitians will need to submit printouts from the pre- and post-tests for each module and a check for $10 per contact hour.

Nutrition and Children with Special Health Care Needs: Group-study curriculum

Access the material: http://depts.washington.edu/pwdlearn/group.htm

A set of four group-study modules has been developed. Each module is designed to deliver approximately 1 hour of inservice/continuing education for nutritionists. A leaders guide, speaker's notes, Powerpoint presentation, participant handouts, resource list, and illustrative video vignettes (streaming video or DVD) are provided for each module, along with a post-test, evaluation form, and certificate of completion form. Practical examples are used to illustrate family-centered services, an interdisciplinary approach to feeding interventions, improving nutrition interventions, and enhancing nutrition services.

Suggested group study leaders are nutritionists who are knowledgeable about delivering pediatric nutrition services in their local or state context.