Pediatric feeding disorders are complex and can significantly impact a child’s health, development, and family life. Feeding challenges can make mealtime stressful and require specialized intervention. As a pediatric therapy professional, staying up to date with evidence-based practices is essential for effective care.
We offer advanced courses in pediatric feeding disorders, as well as specialized knowledge and practical techniques to enhance intervention strategies. These courses help professionals better understand medical, sensory, and behavioral factors affecting feeding.
Below is a sampling of our advanced courses. You can also view our main CEU course page for over 100 courses and access to live events.
Page Contents
- 1 Complex Pediatric Dysphagia: Case Studies and Medical Management
- 2 Tube Weaning in the Pediatric Population
- 3 Foundations in Feeding
- 4 Application of Responsive Feeding Values in Clinical Practice
- 5 Feeding Therapy Training for SLPs and OTs
- 6 Expanding Skills with Specialized Pediatric Feeding Courses
- 7 Flexible Online and Virtual Learning Options
- 8 Who Are These Courses Meant For, and How to Sign Up
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
Complex Pediatric Dysphagia: Case Studies and Medical Management
Course Overview
The “Complex Pediatric Dysphagia: Case Studies and Medical Management“ webinar provides an advanced understanding of pediatric dysphagia management. This course is designed for professionals seeking expertise in handling complex cases, reviewing medical diagnoses, and understanding the impact of medical and surgical interventions on swallowing.
Participants will explore:
- A variety of pediatric medical diagnoses associated with dysphagia.
- Multidisciplinary team management strategies.
- Real-world case studies to enhance problem-solving skills in dysphagia care.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe common pediatric medical diagnoses and their association with dysphagia.
- Identify key members of a multidisciplinary team and their roles.
- Explain medical and surgical management of pediatric dysphagia in diverse patient populations.
Agenda
2:00–3:00 PM CST: Airway Disorders – Understanding the role of airway issues in pediatric dysphagia.
3:00–3:45 PM CST: Syndromes and Genetics – Exploring genetic conditions and syndromes that impact swallowing.
3:45–4:00 PM CST: Break
4:00–4:30 PM CST: The GI Impact – Reviewing how gastrointestinal factors affect swallowing and feeding.
4:30–5:15 PM CST: Team Management – Effective multidisciplinary approaches for managing complex cases.
Course Format
- Handouts: Comprehensive reference materials for participants.
- Lecture Videos: Recorded content to revisit key topics.
- Quiz: A short assessment to test knowledge and retention.
- Course Evaluation: Opportunity for feedback to improve learning outcomes.
Accreditation
This advanced-level course meets the requirements for Professional Development Hours for ASHA renewal and is approved by TSHA. Hours earned can be applied to your ASHA renewal upon submission of the Compliance Form.
Tube Weaning in the Pediatric Population
Course Overview
“Tube Weaning in the Pediatric Population“ provides critical insights into the complexities of transitioning from tube feeding to oral feeding in infants and children. This advanced presentation focuses on the collaborative efforts of interprofessional teams, addressing barriers and challenges during tube weaning, tracking outcomes, and the importance of culturally sensitive practices. Participants will gain knowledge through case studies and the latest research, ensuring a holistic understanding of the tube weaning process.
Key highlights include:
- Exploring the roles of interprofessional team members.
- Understanding the impact of social determinants of health and multicultural practices on mealtimes.
- Strategies for overcoming challenges in tube weaning.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the importance of an interprofessional approach to tube weaning.
- Describe the roles of each provider, including the patient and family, within the interprofessional team.
- Identify common challenges and successes encountered during the tube weaning process.
Note: This course meets the requirement for Professional Development hours towards your ASHA renewal since it is approved by TSHA! You can count these hours towards ASHA renewal when you submit your Compliance Form.
Foundations in Feeding
The joy of eating goes beyond just feeling full; it’s also about the bond formed when a baby is fed by their mother, who is usually the main caregiver. This special connection is one of the first and most important relationships for every newborn.
It serves as a foundation for normal development, somatic growth, communication skills, and psychosocial well-being. Thus, feeding of the newborn infant, young child, and rapidly growing teen is an activity with far-reaching consequences. (Arvedson, Brodsky, Lefton-Greif, 2020)
Building foundational skills for the assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders is essential.
During our time together, we will begin to lay that strong foundation, starting with normal anatomy and physiology of the swallow while incorporating a knowledge basis for the developmental milestones of related gross and fine motor skills.
Foundations in Feeding course offers visual teaching aids (power points and video examples), graphs, and pictures will all be utilized to construct an understanding of how to assess typical and atypical development for practical application for assessing and treating pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders.
Follow along with us in your learning guide! Grab your colored pencils, markers, highlighters, and sticky notes, you’re going to want to come back to this resource!
Following this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify normal anatomical structures related to pediatric feeding and swallowing.
- Explain the normal physiological process related to pediatric feeding and swallowing.
- Define and identify normal development of gross and fine motor skills related to feeding and swallowing.
- Identify typical and atypical feeding and swallowing behaviors to work towards assessment abilities.
Accreditation
This course meets the requirement for Professional Development hours towards your ASHA renewal since it is approved by TSHA! You can count these hours towards ASHA renewal when you submit your Compliance Form.
Application of Responsive Feeding Values in Clinical Practice
When children have feeding challenges, their whole family experiences the challenge. For clinicians working with families and young children, moving away from a directive or prescribed approach in feeding intervention towards a responsive framework can improve outcomes and instill trust between the partners involved in feeding.
Rowell and her colleagues describe the 5 core values of Responsive Feeding Therapy in their 2020 paper Responsive Feeding Therapy: Values and Practice. We will define each of these practice values, explore the evidence base for their utilization, and think through case studies that highlight the importance of each value.
Therapy pitfalls and obstacles to progress as well as strategies to move through challenges will be discussed. Because financial obstacles are often present, we will discuss helping families succeed through thoughtful scheduling and creative programming options.
Following Application of responsive feeding values in clinical practice course, participants will be able to:
- List the 5 core values inherent in responsive feeding therapy practice.
- Describe the evidence base for the impact of intrinsic motivation on long-term behavior.
- Describe how to incorporate the 5 core values of RFT into therapy.
- Describe how caregivers’ responses to a child’s feeding choices influence outcomes.
- Identify obstacles in treatment and discuss strategies to overcome them.
Accreditation
This course meets the requirement for Professional Development hours towards your ASHA renewal since it is approved by TSHA! You can count these hours towards ASHA renewal when you submit your Compliance Form.
Feeding Therapy Training for SLPs and OTs
Because pediatric feeding challenges often require a multidisciplinary approach, Knowledge Is Now offers a pediatric feeding course for SLPs and OTs with tailored tracks for each discipline. Speech-language pathologists benefit from modules focusing on swallowing physiology and communication during feeding, while occupational therapists gain strategies from occupational therapy feeding courses that emphasize sensory processing and functional mealtime participation. In addition, comprehensive feeding therapy courses and feeding therapy training prepare all clinicians to deliver evidence-based interventions that improve outcomes for children and their families.
Expanding Skills with Specialized Pediatric Feeding Courses
In addition to advanced dysphagia training, clinicians often benefit from a pediatric feeding course that provides core strategies for addressing oral-motor, sensory, and behavioral challenges in children. Knowledge Is Now offers options such as infant feeding courses for early intervention and oral motor feeding courses that focus on assessment and therapeutic planning for complex cases. These targeted trainings complement advanced modules and help clinicians expand their toolkit for a wide variety of feeding needs.
Flexible Online and Virtual Learning Options
Recognizing the busy schedules of therapy professionals, Knowledge Is Now provides access to both pediatric feeding courses online and virtual pediatric feeding courses. These options mirror the quality of live instruction but allow SLPs and OTs to learn at their own pace from anywhere. The convenience of online platforms ensures clinicians don’t have to compromise between patient care and professional development. Whether through recorded modules or live interactive webinars, these courses offer practical insights that can be applied immediately in clinical settings.
Who Are These Courses Meant For, and How to Sign Up
By investing in advanced training, you not only enhance your professional expertise but also ensure that children get the help they need to thrive. Explore available courses today and take the next step in becoming an expert in pediatric feeding disorders.
Log in now or sign up today to unlock a world of professional growth and join a community dedicated to shaping the future of pediatric therapy. Your journey to excellence starts here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What makes a pediatric feeding course different from general feeding therapy training?
A pediatric feeding course is designed specifically for infants and children, focusing on developmentally appropriate strategies, oral-motor skills, and family-centered approaches. General feeding therapy training may cover broader populations, but pediatric-specific courses ensure clinicians are equipped to address unique childhood challenges.
Q2. Can I take a pediatric feeding course online if I have a full clinical schedule?
Yes. Knowledge Is Now offers flexible pediatric feeding course online programs that fit into busy professional schedules. These modules are available 24/7, allowing you to learn on your own time while maintaining your clinical caseload.
Q3. How does a virtual pediatric feeding course compare to in-person training?
A virtual pediatric feeding course provides the same evidence-based content as in-person training but adds the convenience of accessibility from anywhere. Interactive features such as live discussions, breakout groups, and case studies ensure participants remain engaged and gain practical skills.
Q4. Why should SLPs and OTs consider discipline-specific pediatric feeding courses?
SLPs and OTs address feeding challenges from different but complementary perspectives. A pediatric feeding course for SLPs emphasizes swallowing physiology and communication, while a pediatric feeding course for OTs focuses on sensory processing, posture, and functional mealtime skills. This ensures each discipline deepens expertise in its area while learning to collaborate effectively.
Q5. What are infant feeding courses, and who should take them?
Infant feeding courses are designed for professionals who work with newborns and young infants experiencing feeding difficulties. These courses cover early oral-motor development, breastfeeding and bottle-feeding strategies, and early detection of swallowing concerns. They are valuable for SLPs, OTs, and early intervention specialists.
Q6. How do oral motor feeding courses support clinical practice?
Oral motor feeding courses provide in-depth training on muscle strength, coordination, and oral sensory responses that affect feeding. These courses help clinicians develop targeted therapy plans that improve chewing, swallowing, and overall feeding safety.
Q7. What role do occupational therapy feeding courses play in treatment planning?
Occupational therapy feeding courses teach OTs how to integrate feeding interventions into daily routines, focusing on posture, sensory regulation, and mealtime independence. This approach supports not only nutrition but also social participation at home, school, and community settings.
Q8. Are feeding therapy courses appropriate for advanced clinicians or only beginners?
Feeding therapy courses and feeding therapy training are beneficial for both new and seasoned professionals. Beginners gain foundational knowledge, while advanced clinicians enhance their skills with case-based learning, complex scenario planning, and the latest research in pediatric feeding and swallowing.
