This comprehensive program integrates sensory, motor oral, behavioral, medical, and nutritional factors and approaches in order to successfully evaluate and manage children with feeding/growth programs. Learn to utilize developmental steps to create a graded and effective systematic treatment plan to desensitize children to various foods/textures.
The SOS Approach to Feeding is a Transdisciplinary Program for assessing and treating children with feeding and weight/growth difficulties. It has been developed over the course of 20 years through the clinical work of Dr. Kay Toomey, in conjunction with colleagues from several different disciplines including: Pediatricians, Occupational Therapists, Registered Dieticians, and Speech Pathologists/Therapists. This program integrates sensory, motor, oral, behavioral/learning, medical and nutritional factors and approaches in order to comprehensively evaluate and manage children with feeding/growth problems. It is based on, and grounded philosophically in, the normal developmental steps, stages and skills of feeding found in typically developing children. The treatment component of the program utilizes these typical developmental steps towards feeding to create a systematic desensitization hierarchy of skills/behaviors necessary for children to progress with eating various textures, and with growing at an appropriate rate for them. The assessment component of the program makes sure that all physical reasons for atypical feeding development are examined and appropriately treated medically. In addition, the SOS Approach works to identify any nutritional deficits and to develop recommendations as appropriate to each individual childs growth parameters and needs. Skills across all developmental areas are also assessed with regards to feeding, as well as an examination of learning capabilities with regards to using the SOS program.
Participants will be able to:
1. Identify oral, sensory, motor, cognitive and emotional developmental milestones key to feeding
2. Recognize and describe the major reasons why children wont eat, as based on learning theory principles
3. Identify physical, behavioral, motor, oral-motor, and sensory factors as a part of a feeding assessment
4. Apply behavioral and social learning principles, and systematic desensitization, to feeding problems
5. Create and implement a S.O.S feeding program for toddlers and young children, in group and individual treatment formats
Dr. Kay A. Toomey is a Pediatric Psychologist who has worked with children who don’t eat for almost 35 years. She has developed the SOS Approach to Feeding as a family-centered program for assessing and treating children with feeding problems. Dr. Toomey speaks nationally and internationally about her approach. Dr. Toomey helped to form The Children’s Hospital – Denver’s Pediatric Oral Feeding Clinic, as well as the Rose Medical Center’s Pediatric Feeding Center. Dr. Toomey co-chaired the Pediatric Therapy Services Department at Rose Medical Center prior to entering private practice. Dr. Toomey acted as the Clinical Director for Toomey & Associates, Inc.’s Feeding Clinic, and then the SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR before shifting into clinical consultation in order to focus on her teaching. Dr. Toomey is currently the President of Toomey & Associates, Inc.
Bethany CF Kortsha, MA, OTR/L received her Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from The College of Saint Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. She completed her Master’s thesis on Autism and feeding challenges using the SOS Approach to Feeding. Bethany currently works as a Pediatric Feeding Specialist at the Feeding Clinic at STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. She is also the Director of Clinical Mentorship for Toomey & Associates, Inc. Prior to joining STAR Institute and Toomey & Associates, Inc., Bethany worked as a member on a multidisciplinary team in a day treatment clinic for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, SPD, emotional/behavioral disorders, and feeding problems. Additionally, Bethany has completed the STAR Institute’s Intensive Mentorship Program and is a certified DIR Floortime Provider.
Kelly Fitzpatrick, CCC-SLP received her Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Memphis. She currently works in a Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic, where she established a feeding clinic. She works children of all ages, but specializes in children birth to 3 years, and those who are G-tube dependent. Prior to working at the GI clinic, Kelly acted as the Assistant Clinical Director of SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR with Dr. Kay Toomey and Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. She has also worked in the Early Intervention and Pediatric Outpatient Hospital Settings using the SOS Approach to Feeding program. Kelly is completed the STAR Institute's Intensive Mentorship Program. She is also a Certified Lactation Counselor and a certified DIR Floortime Provider.
What others are saying: "Words cannot describe how much information and knowledge I have gained. I appreciate all the information Dr. Toomey & Dr. Ross have provided. It is exciting to be given all this incredible information and then implementing it. This class has peaked my interest and am eager to potentially specialize in picky eaters and problem feeders." - -Jennifer Bade, SLP
"This course has saved me and as a result my kiddos + families with feeding issues! I was completely disjointed and had no continuity. Now I have a clear way to assess, begin, progress and discharge kiddos and document progress! Thank you!" - -Emily J Faurole, OTD, OTR
"Excellent course. Well organized with thoughtful education of theory, purpose and application to feeding difficulties." - -Shannon Harper, CCC-SLP
"This is a wonderfully engaging course. All feeding therapists should initiate their practice with the theoretical underpinnings of SOS approach." - -Leah Sunger Maccesup, SLP
"Great course! Full of relevant and interesting information. Great not only for an entry level therapist but for a seasoned therapist as well!" -Deborah Lennon, OT
"As a therapist I felt there were missing pieces to my feeding tx.program. The SOS program helped me to recognize the cognitive developmental scale of the children." -Maryann Smith, SLP
"Easy to listen to, comprehend and 'digest.' Kay has a charismatic personality that connected with me so that I have the confidence to explain to parents. Great parent resources! I feel confident to discuss a child's state so that I know the family can hear me."- -Della Hinn, SLP
"This course was fantastic! I feel like it was the first one I've taken that actually told me what to do to teach children how to lateralize and chew. I love that it is all food based without non-food tools. I can't wait to put it into practice!" - -Emily Whistler, SLP
United Hospital, John Nasseff Medical Center
255 Smith Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55102
Directions
Intercontinental - Saint Paul Riverfront
11 East Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55101
Directions
This course meets the criteria for 28.5 contact hours (2.85 CEUs).
Approved provider of continuing education by the American Occupational Therapy Association #3043 for 28.5 contact hours (2.85 CEUs) Intermediate level.
Occupational Therapy Process: assessment, Intervention.
The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by AOTA.
NBCOT Professional development provider 28.5 PDUs.
This activity has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration for 28.5 CPEUs.
Application has been made to the ILEI Training Program.
This course is offered for up to 2.85 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).