Course Description

The goal of a pre-feeding program is to develop the underlying motor skills to support safe, nutritive eating. Pre-feeding programs often do not target specific motor skills because assessment has not included a task analysis of the clients oral sensory motor skill development.

This course provides a theoretical foundation for developing a pre-feeding program based upon a task analysis of the motor skills for spoon feeding, solids, cup drinking and straw drinking. Functional goal-based exercises, applicable to a wide variety of populations, are also demonstrated.

Although there is no prerequisite for taking this course, it was designed in response to requests for a review of the exercises demonstrated in the two day class, Feeding Therapy: A Sensory Motor Approach.

Learning Outcomes

1. Participants will be able to identify 4 pre-feeding considerations when planning a program.
2. Participants will be able to demonstrate 3 functional exercises to support the following: spoon feeding, cup drinking, straw drinking, and eating solids.

Timed Agenda

• 30 minutes Planning a Sensory-Based program
• 20 minutes Assessment & Treatment Model
• 55 minutes Goal-Based Pre-Feeding Exercises
• 15 minutes Wrap-up/Q&A

Content Disclosure: 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.

Instructors