Tidbits of Information

As a pediatric speech therapist, I am always interested in expanding my clinical skills.  Recently, I attended a training class in the SOS Approach for children with eating or feeding difficulties.   The program was developed by Dr. Kay Toomey and her feeding team in Denver.  SOS stands for Sequential Oral Sensory Program which integrates sensory, motor, oral, learning and nutritional factors to feeding treatment.  The course was so insightful.  I learned a new approach to helping children and families deal with feeding issues and now look at food aversions a little differently. 

In the SOS approach, the evaluation includes an assessment of the jaw, lip, and tongue movements during presentation of different food textures and sensory issues in relation to eating and food, as well as respiration.   The program is non-invasive and focuses on increasing the child’s comfort level exploring the different properties of foods, including, color, texture, smell, taste and consistency. This approach allows a child to interact with food in a playful, non-stressful way.   It follows a 32-step hierarchy to eating food, beginning with simply tolerating the food in the room and slowly progressing---at the child’s pace--to eating.

If you think your child has a feeding problem, please do not hesitate to contact a speech therapist or occupational therapist with SOS training to assess your child and begin a program that will bring joy to your child and mealtime!