Jessica Hunt – Pediatric Complex Feeding Issues

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
Would you like to receive Jessica Hunt – Pediatric Complex Feeding Issues ?
Description:

This digital seminar is currently on pre-order meaning that the video will not be ready until 2-3 weeks after the program has taken place.

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.