A Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding in the Down syndrome Population

Course Description

This one day class focuses on the development of oral sensory motor skills to support safe, nutritive and socially acceptable feeding skills in people with a diagnosis of Down syndrome. 

Factors which interfere with feeding, and strategies to mitigate those obstacles will be covered.

A theoretical foundation for assessment and treatment will be provided. 

Therapeutic techniques for pre-feeding, and therapeutic feeding will be shared through videos and demonstrations.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will know how to:

Analyze health issues which impact feeding and are noted more frequently in people with Down Syndrome

Identify characteristics which impact feeding within the Down Syndrome population

Describe a working knowledge of the theory behind a sensory motor approach to feeding

Assess sensory motor issues which impact nutrition and oral-motor feeding skills 

This course is an interactive, hands-on workshop. When taking this course as a self-study it is encouraged that you follow along with all of the activities.

The list of supplies indicates what is included and the recommended food items you will want to have on hand while watching and following along with the video course.

TIMED AGENDA

This presentation will focus on treatment methods related to the use of TalkTools® OPT resources. Other similar treatment approaches will receive limited or no coverage during this lecture.

Timed Agenda

20 minutes- Introduction and Course Overview 10 minutes- Overview of Assessment 65 minutes- Assessing Factors which Influence Feeding -Medical Issues -Posture and Alignment -Sensory Processing -Structural Issues -Functional Issues 30 minutes- Task Analysis of Oral Sensory Motor Skills 30 minutes- Examples of Pre-feeding Exercises 15 minutes- Self Directed Feeding-A Sensory Motor Approach to Modified BLW 15 minutes- Managing Sensory Diet Exploration 160 minutes- Therapeutic Feeding Techniques 15 minutes- Wrap up and Questions