Treatments for Feeding, Speech & Mouth Functions in Pediatrics

Early intervention and pediatric treatment are changing. There are not enough resources to serve the numerous children with feeding, speech/communication, and mouth function problems (e.g., those with prematurity, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, other congenital disorders, etc.). Occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, early intervention specialists, dieticians, pediatricians, nurses, and others need detailed information to make appropriate referrals, choose appropriate treatment techniques, divide team responsibilities, and train parents/care providers. Techniques (learned in this course) are functional practices interventionists can safely teach parents/care providers. Participation experiences and DVD demonstrations encourage clinical problem solving throughout the course.

Course Objectives

Identify oral sensory-motor problems that impact feeding, speech, and mouth function in children with prematurity, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disorders.

Identify typical and atypical anatomy/physiology and feeding/speech/mouth function.

Identify appropriate treatments for feeding/speech/mouth function problems.

Practice general oral massage for appropriate populations (e.g., children with oral defensiveness, oral awareness problems, tonic bite, hyperresponsive gag, etc.).

Practice feeding techniques that can be safely taught to parents and care providers.

Diane Bahr

MS, CCC-SLP, CIMI

Diane Bahr, MS, CCC-SLP, CIMI is a certified speech-language pathologist and infant massage instructor. She has practiced speech-language pathology since 1980 and has been a feeding therapist since 1983. Her experiences include teaching graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education courses; working with children and adults who exhibit a variety of speech, language, feeding, and swallowing disorders; and publishing/presenting information on oral sensory-motor function, assessment, and treatment. She is the author of the textbook Oral Motor Assessment and Treatment: Ages and Stages (Allyn & Bacon, 2001). She has also written a book for parents and professionals entitled Nobody Ever Told me (or my mother) That! Everything from Bottles and Breathing to Healthy Speech Development (Sensory World, 2010).

Accreditation

ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.

Intermediate Level

1.50 ASHA CEU

Speech Therapy PD is an approved provider with the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board, #PDP 481.

Course Timeline

Part 1 Total Hours: 4 hours, 15 minutes

30 min: Key Assessment Concepts

30 min: Oral Sensory-Motor Problems/Populations We Treat

30 min: Useful Anatomy/Physiology and Sensory-Motor Function

60 min: Typical Face/Mouth Development

75 min: Promoting Good Face/Mouth Development from Birth

30 min: Health Problems: Allergies, Reflux, Sinus, Pulmonary

Part 2 Total Hours: 3 hours, 15 minutes

30 min: Hand-Mouth Connection/Early Mouthing Experiences

30 min: Pacifier Use/Thumb Sucking/Excessive Mouthing/Tooth Grinding

30 min: Teething/Resolving Drooling

45 min: Group Experience: Oral Massage/Facilitation

30 min: Jaw/Lip/Tongue: Grading/Dissociation/Direction of Movement

30 min: Horns/Bubbles/Other Respiratory Work

Part 3 Total Hours 7.5 hours

60 min: Treatment Session Components/Suggestions/Modifications

30 min: Infant Breast/Bottle Feeding

30 min: Spoon Feeding/Cup and Straw Drinking

30 min: Age-Appropriate Food/Liquid Progression

45 min: Group Experience: Feeding Technique Practice

30 min: Working through “Picky Eating/Drinking”

90 min: Typical Feeding Development (Detailed)

30 min: Typical Speech/Communication Development (Detailed)

75 min: Intelligible Speech as an ADL (Strategies for SLPs/OTs/Others)

30 min: Speech Treatment X-Rays/Videos

Course Disclosures

The content of this course is based on the research and experience of the presenter. You are responsible to do your own research to determine if the information and skills taught are appropriate for your clients/students/patients.

Disclosure Statement for Diane Bahr:

Financial:

Diane Bahr is the author of Feed Your Baby & Toddler Right: Early Eating and Drinking Skills Encourage the Best Development (2018), Nobody Ever Told Me (or My Mother) That! Everything from Bottles and Breathing to Healthy Speech Development (2010) and Oral Motor Assessment and Treatment: Ages and Stages (2001), for which she has received royalty payments. She is the co-owner of Ages and Stages®, LLC, for which she is financially compensated. Additionally, she has received payment for courses through TalkTools, The Breathe Institute, Speech Therapy PD, and Northern Speech Services.