Instructor: Heidi Miller, MS, CCC-SLP, COM®️

This HMS Feeding Course is focused on both diagnostics and therapy strategies for the picky eater. Heidi Miller discusses what a clinician should observe through a myofunctional lens during a feeding evaluation. We explore how an underlying Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) can impact a child with a Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD). We also followed a case study together and learned how to detect underlying orofacial myofunctional deficits in a client during a feeding evaluation.
The later portion is treatment focused. The etiology of why a child is a picky eater has a direct impact on the approach that a clinician will primarily utilize while treating that client for picky eating and expansion of repertoire. While sometimes the strategies overlap, other times they differ. Heidi Miller will be exploring therapy strategies used with clients via videos and hand on demonstrations who have a history of picky eating and varying comorbidities including underlying OMD,’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), medical involvement, and Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Heidi will demonstrate the therapeutic treatment strategies that she has found to be the most successful with each of the aforementioned populations. She will also share some aspects of her HMS Feeding Therapy Protocol for Expansion of Repertoire and how it relates to some of these populations.

Learning Outcomes
The participant will be able to:

1. Identify at least two of the most common OMD’s discovered during a feeding evaluation
2. Describe one reason tethered oral tissue can negatively impact feeding
3. List at least 3 therapeutic strategies to use with the picky eater population
4. Identify which therapy strategy the client will most likely respond to based on history
5. Describe the HMS Feeding Protocol

• Timed Agenda
  60 minutes - Identifying OMDs and how TOTs can affect feeding
• 30 minutes – Case study/ knowing what strategies to use
• 30 min – HMS Feeding Protocol
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Instructor: Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT

Join Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, the Autism Dietitian, as we uncover the long-term nutrition issues associated with selective eaters. Selective eating causes poor nutrient intake, which long-term can contribute to comorbid issues such as nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal issues, poor mood and behavior, and may even delay speech development.

The gut is considered our second brain, and whenever it’s not fed appropriately (think of the kiddos exclusively eating “blonde foods”), it can become imbalanced, inflamed, and leaky. If the diet and gut are not addressed, issues such as food sensitivities, behavioral problems, brain fog, and other symptoms may be exacerbated. Certain underlying nutrition issues may also contribute to a child’s narrowed diet, and addressing the root cause is vital to successful feeding therapy.

Together we will discuss nutrition risk factors contributing to these issues as well as red flags to identify in your clients so you feel confident referring out to a dietitian and helping your clients get the best care all around.

Learning Outcomes
The participant will be able to:

1. List long-term health issues associated with picky eating.
2. Describe the cascade of events contributing to nutrient deficiencies, poor gut health, and increased behaviors
3. Explore possible underlying nutritional reasons why a child may be a selective eater

• Timed Agenda
• 10 min -- Defining a selective eater
• 10 min -- High-risk groups for selective eating
• 15 min -- Long-term health issues associated with picky eating
• 15 min -- The cascade of events contributing to poor nutrient status
• 10 min -- Underlying issues associated with picky eating
• 10 min -- Overview of the gut-brain connection and how diet affects the gut microbiome
• 10 min -- Identifying signs & symptoms of poor nutrient status and when to refer out
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Instructors: Stephanie Kestel Karpovs, MCD, CCC-SLP & Anatole Karpovs, MD, FAAP, CCMS

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, “poor dietary habits” are the #1 risk factor for early death and disability. What we choose to fuel our bodies can impact our whole well-being. The message of “eat the rainbow” is one that both adults and kids can visualize and implement—and getting kids in the kitchen cultivates a love of both food and family connection. A healthy, colorful diet can be transformative: it can make us feel mentally alert, help our bodies function more efficiently, and offer protection from/help reverse the impacts of some chronic diseases. But, how do we get more adults to use food as medicine? Get more families to raise adventurous eaters! Incorporating a more holistic approach to health and wellness requires those foundational skills to feeding. Early intervention and a team approach to wellness are ideal to guide orofacial development to be able to handle a wide variety of tastes, temperatures and textures. You’ll learn how to step away from the Standard American Diet (it’s S.A.D.) and lean into a more whole-foods, plant-based approach (both in the therapy room and in your own kitchen). You’ll also learn ways to effectively communicate among professionals (“How do you talk to the pediatrician when you aren’t married to one?”), build a strong interdisciplinary team and identify some fun ways to educate your community. Cheers to your good health!

Learning Outcomes

The participant will be able to:

1. Describe normal anatomy, physiology, and developmental milestones for optimal oral function and airway patency (birth through young adult)
2. Describe the connection between OMDs and malnutrition (or poor nutrition) and its potential impact on personal, familial, and societal health and wellness
3. Identify the benefits of a whole food/plant-based, anti-inflammatory dietary approach to wellness and ways to incorporate these foods into therapy and personal lives
4. Identify strategies for effective communication and collaboration with other professionals to optimize a team approach for the benefit of shared patients. List long-term health issues associated with picky eating.

• Timed Agenda
• 10 min -- Introductions/brief overview of normal developmental guidelines
  15 min -- Contributing factors that can increase airway, orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD), feeding & swallowing issues
  15 min -- OMD’s and functional nutrition
  20 min -- Power of proper nutrition, Mediterranean/whole food, plant based diets and ways to incorporate more colorful and developmentally appropriate food choices onto the plate
  10 min -- How to effectively counsel on diet/nutrition/feeding goals and referrals
  20 min -- Making healthy foods kid-fun and family friendly; community education
  20 min -- Collaborative care and multidisciplinary team-building examples to maximize care for shared patients
  10 min -- Case examples, creative therapy ideas and wrap up

Instructor: April Anderson, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC

In Washington, DC providers are expected to implement the early childhood coaching model as described by Rush and Sheldon (2011). The key concepts of this model focus on growing the capacity of the caregivers through a “coach” and “coachee” dynamic that allows caregivers to more effectively carryover therapy strategies in the child’s natural environment. In feeding therapy in particular, success is seen when families demonstrate confidence, commitment to the goals, and are able to implement strategies across the week. This can reduce the amount of time a child may spend receiving early intervention services. Using this model, providers are able to create a joint plan with strategies to practice between sessions, observe and give feedback on strategies, and offer reflection and problem solving solutions with caregivers. A child eats or drinks several times throughout the day and an ideal mealtime may not fall during the scheduled therapy time. Supporting families through the early childhood coaching model ensures that children are targeting therapy goals across meals.

Learning Outcomes

The participant will be able to:

1. Define the "Coaching" Feeding Therapy Model
2. Apply 3 coaching strategies
3. Develop a caregiver-therapist coaching planDescribe normal anatomy, physiology, and developmental milestones for optimal oral function and airway patency (birth through young adult)

• Timed Agenda
• 15 min -- What is the Coaching Model
  15 min -- How to Integrate the Coaching Model
  15 min -- Case Studies
  15 min-- Developing a Caregiver-Therapist Coaching Plan