Nutritional care at Kennedy Krieger Institute is provided to patients through inpatient, day treatment and outpatient settings. The practice is aimed at nutrition assessment, diagnosis, intervention and monitoring.
Best practices are derived from current medical knowledge and available research. Individualized patient recommendations are made with family and interdisciplinary contributions. Education is provided to the families and the community healthcare providers to facilitate the developed nutrition care plan.
Our Services
Each of the department's inpatient and outpatient programs provides the following clinical services: modifying the nutrient composition and consistency of a diet, prescribing/specifying food and nutrient intake, translating nutrition prescriptions into meal plans, food choices and preparation techniques, fostering behavior change by educating, counseling, motivating and advising, providing complete or supplemental nutrients through food and enteral support and referring to other service providers when necessary. The following services enhance the delivery of clinical services: education and training of staff, research and outcome evaluation, community outreach and advocacy.
Inpatient Programs:
Nutritionists are consulted for individuals admitted to the inpatient unit based on identified nutrition need and/or risk across all the protocols.
Outpatient Programs:
The Nutrition Department provides consultations to multiple Kennedy Krieger outpatient clinics, including but not limited to:
- Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation
- Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy
- Day Feeding Program
- Feeding Disorders Clinic
- Nutrition Outpatient Clinic
- Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic
- Philip A. Keelty Center for Spina Bifida and Related Conditions
Families can request consultations with nutritionists by speaking with their primary health care providers.
Food Pantry
Kennedy Krieger Institute's Patient Food Pantry provides a free meal kit to feed a family of four, along with recipes and resources for those in need. During triage at our medical clinics on the Broadway campus, staff will screen all families for food insecurity, and those eligible receive a meal kit to take home.
Learn More About Our Food Pantry
Related Materials and Information:
- Nutrition Clinic Factsheet (PDF)
- Weight Management Program Factsheet (PDF)
- Local Food Banks List
- Additional Food Resources: Nutrition Assistance Programs
- Nutrition on a Budget: Way s to save money and eat healthy!
Additional Resources:
- The Resource Finder: A Project of Kennedy Krieger Institute
- The Food and Nutrition Information Center
- The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
- The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Centers for Disease Control
- Nutrition.gov
- Healthfinder: Your Guide to Reliable Health Information
- Consumer Lab.com
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- WIC Program
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Health Information
- USDA's ChooseMyPlate.gov for Preschoolers
- USDA's ChooseMyPlate.gov Healthy Kids