Feeding Therapist Course

Lesson 1 • Nutritional Basics for Feeding Therapists

Provides essential nutrition knowledge relevant to feeding therapy caseloads. Supports collaboration with dietitians and informed clinical decisions.

Lesson 2 • Swallowing Physiology Fundamentals

Explains the four phases of swallowing and their neural control. Grounds clinical observation in physiological understanding.

Lesson 3 • Anatomy of the Feeding System

Covers oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal structures involved in feeding. Provides the anatomical baseline needed for all subsequent clinical reasoning.

Lesson 4 • Sensory Processing and Feeding

Introduces how sensory systems influence food acceptance and mealtime behavior. Links sensory processing concepts to feeding therapy practice.

Lesson 1 • Defining Pediatric Feeding Disorder

Establishes consensus definitions and diagnostic criteria for pediatric feeding disorder. Provides shared clinical language used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Sensory-Based Feeding Disorders

Differentiates sensory-based food refusal from other etiologies using observable features. Guides selection of sensory-focused intervention strategies.

Lesson 3 • Feeding Disorders Across Diagnoses

Surveys feeding challenges associated with autism, prematurity, and genetic syndromes. Equips therapists to anticipate diagnosis-specific feeding profiles.

Lesson 4 • Behavioral and Psychological Factors

Identifies learned avoidance, anxiety, and trauma responses that maintain feeding difficulties. Prepares therapists to address behavioral dimensions alongside medical ones.

Lesson 1 • Mealtime Observation and Analysis

Guides direct observation of feeding across textures, utensils, and caregiver interactions. Captures real-time data on efficiency, safety, and behavioral patterns.

Lesson 2 • Clinical Oral Motor Examination

Teaches systematic evaluation of oral structures and motor function at rest and during feeding. Directly informs treatment target selection and compensatory strategy planning.

Lesson 3 • Case History and Chart Review

Structures intake of medical, developmental, and dietary history before direct observation. Establishes the clinical context that guides all subsequent assessment steps.

Lesson 4 • Standardized Feeding Assessment Tools

Surveys validated tools for measuring feeding skill, behavior, and caregiver perception. Supports selection of appropriate measures for each clinical presentation.

Lesson 1 • Indications for Instrumental Assessment

Defines clinical criteria that warrant instrumental evaluation beyond bedside assessment. Prevents both under-referral and unnecessary procedures.

Lesson 2 • Comparing and Selecting Instrumental Studies

Analyzes the strengths and limitations of each instrumental modality for specific clinical questions. Guides evidence-based study selection and combined-use rationale.

Lesson 3 • Translating Study Findings to Treatment

Connects instrumental findings directly to compensatory strategies and therapy targets. Closes the gap between diagnostic data and clinical action.

Lesson 4 • Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing

Introduces endoscopic swallowing evaluation procedures, anatomy visualization, and findings interpretation. Complements fluoroscopic data with direct mucosal and secretion assessment.

Lesson 1 • Lip and Cheek Strengthening Approaches

Covers targeted techniques for improving lip seal, cheek tone, and labial movement. Directly improves bolus containment and liquid management during feeding.

Lesson 2 • Jaw Grading and Stability Techniques

Teaches methods to improve jaw grading, stability, and controlled movement during feeding. Addresses a foundational motor component that supports lip and tongue function.

Lesson 3 • Integrating Oral Motor Work into Feeding

Bridges isolated oral motor exercises with functional feeding tasks during therapy sessions. Ensures skill transfer from drill to real mealtime performance.

Lesson 4 • Tongue Mobility and Coordination Training

Addresses tongue lateralization, elevation, and propulsion deficits through structured tasks. Improves bolus manipulation and pharyngeal transfer efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Behavioral Principles in Feeding Therapy

Reviews reinforcement, extinction, and shaping as applied to feeding behavior change. Provides the theoretical foundation for all behavioral intervention techniques.

Lesson 2 • Systematic Desensitization to Foods

Teaches graduated exposure hierarchies to reduce food aversion and avoidance. Builds tolerance through controlled, stepwise contact with novel foods.

Lesson 3 • Structured Mealtime Protocols

Introduces evidence-based mealtime structure to reduce chaos and increase predictability. Consistent routines decrease anxiety and improve food acceptance rates.

Lesson 4 • Caregiver Coaching in Behavioral Strategies

Trains therapists to teach caregivers to implement behavioral strategies consistently at home. Caregiver fidelity is the primary driver of generalization and long-term success.

Lesson 1 • Environmental Modification for Sensory Needs

Teaches modification of mealtime environments to reduce sensory overload and support regulation. Environmental control is a low-cost, high-impact intervention lever.

Lesson 2 • Oral Sensory Intervention Strategies

Covers techniques to normalize oral tactile sensitivity and improve food texture tolerance. Directly addresses the most common sensory barrier to food acceptance.

Lesson 3 • Integrating Sensory and Behavioral Approaches

Combines sensory and behavioral frameworks into unified treatment plans for complex presentations. Prevents siloed intervention and maximizes outcomes for mixed-profile children.

Lesson 4 • Sensory Diets and Feeding Preparation

Designs pre-meal sensory preparation routines to optimize arousal and readiness for eating. Priming the sensory system before meals improves acceptance and reduces distress.

Lesson 1 • Complex and Multi-Etiology Case Management

Addresses cases where medical, behavioral, and sensory factors interact and require integrated planning. Develops clinical reasoning for the most challenging feeding presentations.

Lesson 2 • Intensive Feeding Program Models

Surveys intensive outpatient and day-treatment feeding program structures and their evidence base. Prepares therapists to design or contribute to intensive feeding programs.

Lesson 3 • Discharge Planning and Long-Term Follow-Up

Guides criteria-based discharge decisions and structures follow-up to prevent regression. Ensures families maintain gains and access support after formal therapy ends.

Lesson 4 • Goal Writing and Treatment Planning

Develops skills for writing measurable, functional feeding goals aligned with assessment findings. Well-written goals drive focused intervention and clear progress monitoring.