The Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S) Approach to Feeding workshop is a trans- disciplinary program for assessing and treating children with feeding difficulties and weight/growth problems.  This comprehensive course provides you with the evidence-based training and information you need to effectively assess and treat children with feeding difficulties and weight/growth problems from birth to 18 years. It integrates posture, sensory, motor, behavioral/learning, medical, and nutritional factors to comprehensively evaluate and manage children with feeding/growth problems.

Course Objectives

1. Identify oral, sensory, motor, cognitive and emotional developmental milestones key to feeding.
2. Recognize and describe the major reasons why children won’t eat, as based on learning theory principles.
3. Identify physical, behavioral, motor, oral-motor, and sensory factors as a part of a Feeding Assessment.
4. Apply behavioral and social learning principles, and systematic desensitization to feeding problems.
5. Create and implement a S.O.S feeding program in group and individual treatment formats.

Intended Audience
Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Registered Dietitians, Special Education Teachers, Psychologists, Physical Therapists, Early Intervention Specialists, Nurses, Physicians, and Mental Health Workers.

The SOS Approach to Feeding conference is an Intermediate level course: Information is geared to practitioners with a general working knowledge of current practice trends and literature related to the subject matter. Focus is on increasing understanding and competent application of the subject matter.

Note: Training conferences are created for professionals.  If parents wish to attend the training workshop, they must be accompanied by their child’s feeding therapist.

Conference attendance requirements:  ** Participants are expected to attend the course for the entire length of each day (8am to 5pm, Days 1-3), and to stay at the course until 3:15pm on the last day in order to receive their Certificate and their full CEU credits.

Registration Fee

• Early-Bird Discount Registration:  $715 (Registration must be completed by December 15, 2016)
• Regular Registration:  $750
  

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Speaker Biographical Statements

Dr. Kay Toomey 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 @ STAR (Sensory Therapy and Research Center with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller).

Bethany CF Kortsha, MA, OTR/L received her Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from The College of Saint Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. She completed her Master’s thesis on Autism and feeding challenges using the SOS Approach to Feeding. Bethany currently works as a Pediatric Feeding Specialist at S.O.S. Feeding Solutions at STAR Center (Sensory Therapies and Research Center with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller). She also is the Director of Clinical Mentorship for Toomey & Associates, Inc. Prior to joining STAR Center and Toomey & Associates, Inc., Bethany worked as a member on a multidisciplinary team in a day treatment clinic for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, SPD, emotional/behavioral disorders, and feeding problems. Additionally, Bethany has completed the SPD Foundations Intensive Mentorship Program and is a certified DIR Floortime Provider.

 Kelly Fitzpatrick, MA, CCC-SLP received her Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Memphis. She currently works as the Assistant Clinical Director of S.O.S. Feeding Solutions at STAR (Sensory Therapies and Research Center with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller). She specializes in feeding difficulties in children 0-5 years old and those who are G-tube dependent. Prior to joining the STAR Center, Kelly practiced in a pediatric outpatient hospital setting using the S.O.S. Approach to Feeding.  Kelly has additionally completed the SPD Foundations Intensive Mentorship Program and is a certified DIR Floortime Provider.

Statement of Financial/Non-Financial Relationships

Dr. Kay A. Toomey – Paid Consultant for Nestle Infant Nutrition (Gerber division); Unpaid Medical Professional Council Member for Feeding Matters, (formerly P.O.P.S.I.C.L.E.);Paid Speaker for Education Resources, Inc.;Paid Speaker for STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder

Bethany Kortsha – Paid Speaker for Education Resources, Inc.; Paid Speaker for STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder

Kelly Fitzpatrick - Paid Speaker for Education Resources, Inc.; Paid Speaker for STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received in writing to info@sosapproach-conferences.com no later than January 9, 2017 to receive a refund minus a $75 processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after January 16, 2017. Registrations may be substituted or deferred to a future conference. Toomey & Associates, Inc. must be notified of substitutions at least 24 hours in writing (email acceptable) before the start of the event otherwise the substitution cannot be honored. Registrations cancelled due to a family emergency or other unexpected event or illness will be deferred to a future SOS Approach to Feeding Conference hosted by Toomey & Associates, Inc. 

In the event the program must be cancelled due to illness, fire, strikes, war, acts of God, terrorism or other causes that would prevent the event from taking place, Toomey & Associates, Inc. will attempt to reschedule the event. If the event is unable to be rescheduled, Toomey & Associates, Inc. will refund all tuition fees paid. Costs incurred for nonrefundable travel arrangements or other related individual expenses will not be refunded by Toomey & Associates, Inc. Attendees will be notified of the cancellation by email using the email provided by the attendee during registration.