Summary: This advanced course outlines why children on the autism spectrum struggle so much more than other children with eating and feeding. Challenges that are unique to children on the autism spectrum as identified by research are presented within each of the 7 areas of Human Functioning (the “iceberg”) discussed in the basic SOS course. Next, general treatment strategies that are recommended for all children on the autism spectrum will be discussed. The last section of the course is dedicated to outlining how to make a “downward” adaptation of the basic SOS program for the child on the severe end of the autism spectrum.
Level: Advanced
Intended Audience: Those who have attended the three-day basic workshop, which includes speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, special education teachers, psychologists, physical therapists, early intervention specialists, nurses, physicians, dietitians and mental health professionals.
Prerequisite: Completion of the Basic 3 or 4-day SOS Workshop. Due to the advanced nature of this course, proof of eligibility of the basic workshop is needed.
- Sign up for a free account or become a member, selecting either Professional Free Account – SOS Certified or Professional Paid Member 6.0 – SOS Certified.
- Once you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation email requesting completion of the SOS Advanced Course Eligibility form, including uploading a copy of your Basic SOS Certificate.
- Once your account is created and approved, return to the SPD University and click on the SOS Catalog tab along the top, then find Feeding – Advanced topics.
Presenter: Kay Toomey, PhD is a Pediatric Psychologist who has worked with children who don’t eat for almost 30 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. She also acts as a consultant to Gerber Products. 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 is currently the President of Toomey & Associates, Inc., as well as the Clinical Director of SOS Feeding Solutions at STAR Institute with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the sensory problems of children with ASD that make feeding especially difficult for them
- Describe at least 2 components of the Adaptation of the SOS Approach to Feeding for children with ASD
- List at least 3 hierarchy strategies for children with ASD
Continuing Education: This course is offered for .3 ASHA CEUs (Advanced Level, Professional content area). This course will delineate special concepts and treatment variations for specific feeding problems.
STAR Institute for SPD is an AOTA Approved Provider of Continuing Education. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
Upon full completion of the course video, participants must complete and pass a quiz with at least 80% accuracy to receive a certificate of completion. For participants who opt to receive ASHA CEUs, an ASHA CEU Participant Form will be provided for download and must be completed and returned to STAR Institute at education@spdstar.org within 30 days. STAR Institute submits ASHA CEU Participant Forms to ASHA on a quarterly basis.
Disclosures: S.O.S. Approach to Feeding Faculty Disclosures
This workshop provides training on the SOS Approach to Feeding and will not include information or training on other approaches.