This presentation introduces an innovative approach to feeding with a focus on Multi-Disciplinary team collaboration. Our team of Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists will share our experience and success addressing the multi-dimensional foundation skills required for a successful feeding program. We will review the foundation skills needed for safe and efficient feeding and swallowing, assess Posture, Coordination, Sensory Regulation, Oral Motor strength and stability and Respiration to identify the ways each area interacts. We will identify how together they form a foundation for successful feeding and mealtimes. Specifically, we will identify components of movement which impact respiration and oral motor skills, sensory processing differences which impact attention, oral awareness and pacing when feeding, the role of respiration in supporting all areas of function, and oral motor skills with a focus on lips, tongue and jaw function.  case studies and hands on experiences and strategies we will take an in-depth look at supporting a child’s whole system to build successful feeding skills and experiences.

CEUs: 0.2

1. Identify foundation skills needed for successful feeding.
2. Assess posture, sensory regulation, oral motor skills and respiration as they relate to feeding and swallowing disorders.
3. Develop 5 treatment options for each area of function including posture, self regulation, oral motor skills and respiration to improve feeding and swallowing.

Participants will be able to:

1. Evaluate foundation skills, identifying areas of strength and need in posture, whole body coordination, sensory processing, emotional regulation, respiration and oral motor skill.
2. Integrate patient history with findings of evaluation to develop understanding of the underlying foundational needs that have led to the individuals current feeding needs and develop a multi-disciplinary plan of care.
3. Apply evaluation findings to develop a step by step plan of care including specific exercises for home and clinic to move the child towards success in feeding.

• 15 mins: Introduction and Overview
• 15 mins: Module 1- Posture and Whole Body Coordination
• 15 mins: Module 2 – Sensory processing and Emotional Regulation
• 15 mins: Module 3 – Respiration
• 15 mins: Module 4 – Oral Motor
• 30 mins: Case Studies
• 5 mins: Question and Answer