Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding Program
The SOS Approach focuses on increasing a child’s comfort level by exploring and learning about the different properties of food. The program allows a child to interact with food in a playful, non-stressful way, beginning with the ability to tolerate the food in the room and in front of him/her, then moving on to managing the smell of the foods, learning about how foods feel on the body and in their mouth, and then enjoying tasting and eating new foods following the Steps to Eating.
An initial assessment is conducted which includes a comprehensive case history of your child’s development and eating. We assess your child’s oral motor skills to look at how they bite, chew and swallow food safely. Next, we look at how your child responds to different foods, sharing with them three foods that they would typically eat and three foods that they typically refuse.
SOS therapy involves a carefully planned hierarchy of different foods that are presented to your child in the session. The SOS-trained speech pathologist engages your child with the foods and leads them through the Steps to Eating. Parents participate and engage with the food along with their child.
SOS feeding therapy may be offered individually or in a small group. Children attend for eight sessions and parents conduct follow-up therapy meals at home to provide many opportunities for learning about and feeling comfortable with a range of foods.
SOS feeding sessions may be offered via telehealth or in the clinic.
More information can be found here: https://sosapproachtofeeding.com/why-sos-approach-feeding/
Cooking Club
This program for children 8 years and upwards extends the feeding program with hands-on fun in the kitchen. Offered via telehealth, parents and children cook together with the session led by our SOS-trained speech pathologist. The session involves talking about food goals, cooking a recipe together and taking an investigative approach to learning about and trying foods.
To find out more information about feeding therapy, or to book an initial appointment, please contact our clinic.
