Full Course Description

Pediatric Complex Feeding Issues: 2-Day Intensive Training

Children do not present with one area of difficulty when it comes to feeding – it is typically a mix of behavior, sensory and oral-motor issues. As a result, we need to learn how to adjust on the fly when a child throws us a curveball in a session that doesn’t fit with our treatment plan.

In this recording, I will show you how to use a roadmap to navigate the muddy waters of feeding and learn how to seamlessly move between sensory, motor and behavior strategies to create the best-individualized treatment plan for each child.

Through video case examples, I will show you treatment strategies, and hands-on exercises to gain the knowledge needed to successfully treat feeding difficulties.

You’ll walk away with advanced techniques to:

Evaluate the causes of mealtime difficulties: behavior, sensory, oral motor, or a combination
Increase the range of foods, decrease rigidity around mealtimes
Increase jaw strength and decrease ineffective lip closure, or poor tongue lateralization
Use deep breathing and proprioceptive input to address self-regulation at the table
Educate parents and caregivers to promote carryover at home
Increase self-regulation around feeding
Increase food play and exploration to increase food acceptance

Don’t miss out! Learn how to put all the pieces together for children with complex feeding issues.

Program Information

Objectives

Articulate the complexities of feeding and the sensory, behavioral and motor factors that play a role in a child’s ability to eat.
Evaluate the neurological basis for how and why many feeding aversions develop and continue.
Measure the misconceptions about feeding and the implications on a child’s feeding experience.
Differentiate between sensory overload and behaviors to effectively apply treatment strategies.
Determine which muscles are needed for chewing and swallowing to better identify when dysfunction in the muscle is occurring.
Implement play approaches to increase types of foods.
Use various behaviors and sensory techniques to increase regulation at the table.
Implement oral motor exercises and strategies to promote feeding patterns such as rotary chewing pattern, lip closure, and tongue lateralization.
Assess the progression of food texture and choice foods that match the sensory and motor skills.
Demonstrate the use of behavior strategies effectively to increase compliance during therapy.
Investigate unique challenges with various diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy and more to modify treatment accordingly.
Support and guide the parents, caregivers, and other family members through often emotional or stressful mealtimes.

Outline

The Complexities of Feeding

Definition and prevalence – new information; move toward Pediatric Feeding Disorder
Overlap of sensory processing skills, oral motor skills and behaviors
Normal developmental key points
Neurological foundations
Trauma, feeding and impact on brain
- NICU and medical trauma, NG Tubes, trachotmesty, etc.
- Negative experience around feeding gagging, retching, pain with eating …

Evaluation of Feeding Skills

Differentiate between sensory overload and behaviors during feeding
Activity analysis of feeding – Evaluation videos and group analysis
Information obtained – what questions to ask
Oral motor evaluation – jaw, lips, tongue strength; range of motion for feeding
Hands-on draw to learn lab

Sensory Integration Strategies

Research-backed sensory play-based approach
- Decrease sensory over-responsivity to foods
- Use food exploration/cooking for older kids
Self-regulation to engage body during feeding
- Core engagement
- Breathing exercises
- Therapeutic use of music
- Heavy work

Oral Motor Skills

Lab – Oral motor exercises, kineseotaping, stretching
Children who don’t swallow safely – saliva management, increase swallowing …

Food in Therapy
Taste Lab – Sensory feedback and motor requirement needed for each food texture

Progression of food texture
Match food presented in therapy to child’s sensory needs and motor skills
Nutritional considerations

Behaviors During Mealtimes: Environmental Strategies to Set Children Up for Success

Manage common mealtime behaviors – throwing foods, not sitting, crying during mealtimes
Increase cooperation using the “just right challenge”
Shift between treatment frameworks
How to use the “feeding roadmap”

Special Considerations

Autism
Cerebral Palsy
Down Syndrome
Children who don’t eat by mouth/G-Tube
Medically complex children

Promote Carry-Over At Home

Educate parents who are stressed and in survival mode
Help families have realistic expectations
Easy-to-implement home programs that parents will do
Help parents to change the relationship between child and food

Target Audience

Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapist Assistants
Speech-Language Pathologists
Physical Therapists
Nurses
Special Educators
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

Copyright : 10/17/2019

Pediatric Complex Feeding Issues: 2-Day Intensive Training_Module 2

Program Information

Objectives

Articulate the complexities of feeding and the sensory, behavioral and motor factors that play a role in a child’s ability to eat.
Evaluate the neurological basis for how and why many feeding aversions develop and continue.
Measure the misconceptions about feeding and the implications on a child’s feeding experience.
Differentiate between sensory overload and behaviors to effectively apply treatment strategies.
Determine which muscles are needed for chewing and swallowing to better identify when dysfunction in the muscle is occurring.
Implement play approaches to increase types of foods.
Use various behaviors and sensory techniques to increase regulation at the table.
Implement oral motor exercises and strategies to promote feeding patterns such as rotary chewing pattern, lip closure, and tongue lateralization.
Assess the progression of food texture and choice foods that match the sensory and motor skills.
Demonstrate the use of behavior strategies effectively to increase compliance during therapy.
Investigate unique challenges with various diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy and more to modify treatment accordingly.
Support and guide the parents, caregivers, and other family members through often emotional or stressful mealtimes.

Copyright : 10/17/2019

Pediatric Complex Feeding Issues: 2-Day Intensive Training_Module 3

Program Information

Objectives

Articulate the complexities of feeding and the sensory, behavioral and motor factors that play a role in a child’s ability to eat.
Evaluate the neurological basis for how and why many feeding aversions develop and continue.
Measure the misconceptions about feeding and the implications on a child’s feeding experience.
Differentiate between sensory overload and behaviors to effectively apply treatment strategies.
Determine which muscles are needed for chewing and swallowing to better identify when dysfunction in the muscle is occurring.
Implement play approaches to increase types of foods.
Use various behaviors and sensory techniques to increase regulation at the table.
Implement oral motor exercises and strategies to promote feeding patterns such as rotary chewing pattern, lip closure, and tongue lateralization.
Assess the progression of food texture and choice foods that match the sensory and motor skills.
Demonstrate the use of behavior strategies effectively to increase compliance during therapy.
Investigate unique challenges with various diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy and more to modify treatment accordingly.
Support and guide the parents, caregivers, and other family members through often emotional or stressful mealtimes.

Copyright : 10/17/2019

Pediatric Complex Feeding Issues: 2-Day Intensive Training_Module 4

Program Information

Objectives

Articulate the complexities of feeding and the sensory, behavioral and motor factors that play a role in a child’s ability to eat.
Evaluate the neurological basis for how and why many feeding aversions develop and continue.
Measure the misconceptions about feeding and the implications on a child’s feeding experience.
Differentiate between sensory overload and behaviors to effectively apply treatment strategies.
Determine which muscles are needed for chewing and swallowing to better identify when dysfunction in the muscle is occurring.
Implement play approaches to increase types of foods.
Use various behaviors and sensory techniques to increase regulation at the table.
Implement oral motor exercises and strategies to promote feeding patterns such as rotary chewing pattern, lip closure, and tongue lateralization.
Assess the progression of food texture and choice foods that match the sensory and motor skills.
Demonstrate the use of behavior strategies effectively to increase compliance during therapy.
Investigate unique challenges with various diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy and more to modify treatment accordingly.
Support and guide the parents, caregivers, and other family members through often emotional or stressful mealtimes.

Copyright : 10/17/2019

Pediatric Complex Feeding Issues: 2-Day Intensive Training_Module 5

Program Information

Objectives

Articulate the complexities of feeding and the sensory, behavioral and motor factors that play a role in a child’s ability to eat.
Evaluate the neurological basis for how and why many feeding aversions develop and continue.
Measure the misconceptions about feeding and the implications on a child’s feeding experience.
Differentiate between sensory overload and behaviors to effectively apply treatment strategies.
Determine which muscles are needed for chewing and swallowing to better identify when dysfunction in the muscle is occurring.
Implement play approaches to increase types of foods.
Use various behaviors and sensory techniques to increase regulation at the table.
Implement oral motor exercises and strategies to promote feeding patterns such as rotary chewing pattern, lip closure, and tongue lateralization.
Assess the progression of food texture and choice foods that match the sensory and motor skills.
Demonstrate the use of behavior strategies effectively to increase compliance during therapy.
Investigate unique challenges with various diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy and more to modify treatment accordingly.
Support and guide the parents, caregivers, and other family members through often emotional or stressful mealtimes.

Copyright : 10/17/2019

Complex Feeding & Swallowing Problems in Children: Discover the Underlying Causes of Food Refusal for a More Targeted Treatment Plan

Developing a Menu for Success

The causes of feeding and swallowing difficulties in children are always multifaceted, sometimes misdiagnosed, and often difficult to assess and treat appropriately.

Respiratory difficulties, gastrointestinal function, oral-motor skills, and behavioral issues are just a few of the elements that can influence feeding and swallowing, limit response to treatment, and result in significant health issues.

To maximize effectiveness, clinicians must resist the temptation to assess and treat feeding and swallowing disorders in isolation; instead, they must develop management plans that take into account interactions between and among oral-motor, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems.

This essential course recording describes complex feeding and swallowing disorders as they manifest themselves in children who have a variety of diagnoses.

Attendees gain successful strategies for identification of the underlying etiology of the dysphagia. The evidence base for specific therapies, including oral-motor techniques, behavioral interventions, nutritional interventions, and strategies for respiratory control, are evaluated.

Arm yourself with practical suggestions and tactics for improving function in these challenging children, as well as strong evidence to support those strategies!

Program Information

Objectives

Examine the interplay between oral-motor, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems and their impact on food refusal in children in order to expand volume and variety of intake.
Analyze the signs and symptoms of pharyngeal dysphagia in children to prevent aspiration associated illnesses.
Evaluate advantages and challenges associated with dietary modifications and use of thickened liquids with a goal of increasing safe oral intake.
Apply rationale for various dietary recommendations currently being implemented with children in order to separate fact from fiction about special diets.
Determine the pros and cons of various oral-motor & sensory treatment approaches to maximize safe, pleasurable eating and drinking in children.
Develop a behavioral treatment plan to address problem feeding behaviors including food refusal, limited food repertoire, low volume of intake, and rigidity around foods and utensils.

Outline

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONS

You Can’t Eat If You Can’t Breathe
Breathing/Swallowing Coordination and Discoordination
Role of pulmonary clearance
Aspiration and aspiration pneumonia
Incorporate respiratory indicators in evaluation
Exercise Interventions for breathing/ swallow discoordination and respiratory insufficiencies

PHARYNGEAL DYSPHAGIA

Clinical assessment matters!
Instrumental assessment options
Improving pharyngeal swallow function
Interventions to decrease aspiration risk
Dietary modifications – texture modifications and thick liquids pros and cons
Oral hygiene
Interactive case review – What your client’s gut is telling you

GI SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

GI system and respiration connection
Reflux and Reflux Disease
Constipation
Allergies
Dietary and lifestyle interventions
Food allergies and the gut
Positioning and sleep

ORAL MOTOR FUNCTION

Postural stability matters
Oral muscles are not skeletal muscles
Exercise Interventions - are they right for your client

SENSORY PROCESSING AND EATING – CAN’T HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER

Food as therapy
The role of taste and smell
Strategies – how to expand food repertoire

WHEN IT REALLY IS BEHAVIOR

What’s the behavior’s form AND function
Examining the feeding environment
Finding the right reinforcement strategy
Behavioral intervention in 5 steps:
Environment, hunger, reinforcement, shaping and parent training
Interactive case review – when it’s behavior…but not just behavior

WEANING FROM TUBE FEEDING

Priming the Gut
Rapid vs. Gradual weans
Blended diets
Strategies for Tube Feed Weaning
Blended diets – when and who

MORE NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS for Pharyngeal Dysphagia, GI Development, Oral Motor Function, Sensory Processing, Behavior and Tube Feeding

Nutrition and immune system function
Supplements
Which special diets are really special
Techniques to improve nutrition

Target Audience

Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Dieticians
Dietary managers
Physical therapists
Nurses
Early Childhood Special Education Staff
Other Helping Professionals who Work with Children

Complex Feeding & Swallowing Problems in Children: Discover the Underlying Causes of Food Refusal for a More Targeted Treatment Plan_Module 2

Program Information

Objectives

Examine the interplay between oral-motor, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems and their impact on food refusal in children in order to expand volume and variety of intake.
Analyze the signs and symptoms of pharyngeal dysphagia in children to prevent aspiration associated illnesses.
Evaluate advantages and challenges associated with dietary modifications and use of thickened liquids with a goal of increasing safe oral intake.
Apply rationale for various dietary recommendations currently being implemented with children in order to separate fact from fiction about special diets.
Determine the pros and cons of various oral-motor & sensory treatment approaches to maximize safe, pleasurable eating and drinking in children.
Develop a behavioral treatment plan to address problem feeding behaviors including food refusal, limited food repertoire, low volume of intake, and rigidity around foods and utensils.