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PediPod: Growing Feeding Skills – Assessment Through Care – Begins August 19, 2026

PediPod: Growing Feeding Skills – Assessment Through Care Begins August 19, 2026. 1 hour live sessions for 12 weeks. 24 hours | 2.4 CEUs for OTs and SLPs. Additional pediatric professionals are welcome and will receive a course certificate upon …

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Holly Schifsky, Louisa Ferrara-Gonzalez, and more
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Overview

PediPod: Growing Feeding Skills – Assessment Through Care

Begins August 19, 2026.
1 hour live sessions for 12 weeks.
24 hours | 2.4 CEUs for OTs and SLPs.
Additional pediatric professionals are welcome and will receive a course certificate upon completion.
12–15 available spots.

If you have specific questions about his PediPod, please email [email protected]

This 12-week pediatric feeding and swallowing cohort offers a well-rounded, supportive learning experience that blends evidence-based instruction, hands-on application, and meaningful mentorship from recognized leaders in pediatric feeding. Our goal is to empower clinicians with the skills, confidence, and clinical reasoning needed to serve children and families effectively.

Who should attend this PediPod?

This PediPod is intended for:

  • Any pediatric professionals evaluating and/or treating pediatric feeding and swallowing in any setting who want to feel more confident advocating for families, in teams, and with other providers
  • Clinicians seeking a stronger evidence-based foundation to support pediatric feeding decision making.
  • Clinicians suspecting a pediatric feeding or swallowing disorder who would benefit from guidance in assessment structure, care planning, and treatment recommendations.
  • Clinicians interested in growing their ability to support or mentor others in their pediatric feeding practice.
What is included in this PediPod?

This cohort provides participants with:

  • 24 hours (2.4 CEUs) focused on practical, evidence-based assessment and intervention for complex pediatric cases with multidisciplinary support
  • Access to expert mentorship and guided discussions to support clinical reasoning and confidence
  • A community of like-minded therapists building pediatric feeding and swallowing competence together through weekly live webinars and an active, private message board. Participants will maintain access to the private message board for an additional 4 weeks following the end of the cohort.
  • Increased confidence and professional clarity to advocate for feeding needs and elevate coordination of care access within
    your setting
  • Skills that support stepping into mentorship, lead therapist, or specialty roles
  • Practical tools, templates, and frameworks you can use long after the cohort ends
Learning Outcomes

By the end of the cohort, participants will be able to:

  • Identify and explain the typical anatomy and physiology of pediatric feeding and swallowing.
  • Define and identify normal development of gross and fine motor skills related to feeding and swallowing.
  • Identify 3 ways respiratory and/or neurological system deficits impact feeding skill development and list 3 feeding strategies to improve feeding success.
  • Understand synactive theory and the impact of positioning and alignment on feeding skills with a variety of patient populations and types
  • Assess pre-feeding skills with non-nutritive sucking and postural control skills to support neonatal feeding skills
  • Describe the impact GI disorders have on feeding
  • Understand nutritional components of neonatal feeding and impact on oral feeding skill development
  • Understand neonatal assessment and intervention for infants with feeding and swallowing challenges to better understand the impact of feeding across the lifespan of a child
  • Provide at least two references supporting the use of diagnostic imaging in the pediatric and infant population.
  • Distinguish at least two clinical indications for pediatric VFSS and FEES
  • Describe the 4 parts of a pediatric feeding assessment.
  • List feeding skills to look for during a feeding observation.
  • Distinguish between pediatric feeding and dysphagia diagnoses.
  • Describe the sensory-motor loop and how it impacts feeding skills.
  • List tools that can be beneficial for skill-building.
  • Explain how modifying food can impact motor skills.
  • Differentiate between relationship-building and compliance-based therapy strategies.
  • Define competence, intrinsic motivation, and autonomy.
  • Describe how perceived competence affects independence.
  • List 3 diagnoses that negatively affect oral feeding success
  • Explain the bio-reciprocal nature of the breathing and swallowing mechanisms
  • Identify 2 signs an infant on positive pressure ventilation may be at risk during feeding.
  • List 2 components of practicing Family-Centered Care
  • List 2 components of practicing Trauma-Informed Care
  • Explain 3 benefits of these practices for the infant/child and 3 benefits for the family
  • Compare the types of genetic mutations
  • List the 4 necessary steps for critically thinking about treating complex cases
  • Summarize the literature supporting various types of treatment approaches
  • Integrate learned concepts into comprehensive documentation practices
Schedule
Each week includes a 1 hour live webinar and 1 hour of self study. The live webinar will include partial lecture, case study, and article discussion.
      • Week 1 – Introduction to Embryological & Typical Development and Basic Feeding Intervention
        • August 19, 2026, 12-1pm CST, with Melanie Van Noy, MS, CCC-SLP, IBCLC, CNT, NTMTC
          • 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. Visual teaching aids (power points and video examples) will be used to construct an understanding of how to assess typical and atypical development for practical application for beginning to assess for pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. 
      • Week 2 – Feeding Problems & Solutions Associated with Respiratory and Neurological Deficits
        • August 26, 2026, 12-1pm CST, with Louisa Ferrara-Gonzalez, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC, CNT, NTMCT
          • This week will review feeding problems and solutions associated with respiratory and neurological deficits. Strategies to optimize oral feeding safety, functional skills and overall development will be reviewed as well as common neurological deficits and their negative effect on feedings.  
      • Week 3 – Importance of Trauma-Informed & Family-Centered Care
        • September 2, 2026, 12-1pm CST, with Louisa Ferrara-Gonzalez, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC, CNT, NTMCT
          • This week will include literature review on practicing trauma-informed and family-centered care and key strategies to incorporate into your practice. We will discuss common challenges therapists experience and will review case studies to encourage clinical thinking. 
      • Week 4 – Supporting Feeding in Special Populations: Genetics, Cardiac, Rare Diagnoses
        • September 9, 2026, 12-1pm CST, with Louisa Ferrara-Gonzalez, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC, CNT, NTMCT 
          • This week will include an overview of genetics and common diagnoses affecting oral feedings, cardiac deficits and common diagnoses affecting oral feedings, the steps for using critical thinking when working with medically complex infants/children, and innovative approaches vs evidence-based approaches vs experimental approaches. We will also discuss goal writing for functional outcomes in this population of infants/children.  
      • Week 5 – Synactive Theory, Pre-Feeding Skill Development, Positioning and Alignment
        • September 16, 2026, 6-7pm CST, with Holly Schifsky, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC, CBIS 
          • This week will focus on understanding synactive theory and the impact of positioning and alignment on feeding skills with a variety of patient populations and types. It will also review assessing pre-feeding skills with non-nutritive sucking and postural control skills to support neonatal feeding skills. We will review videos of premature infants and outline goals, treatment interventions, and family interaction through case studies. 
      • Week 6 – GI and Feeding Deficits / Nutritional Foundation
        • September 23, 2026, 6-7pm CST, with Holly Schifsky, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC, CBIS
          • This week will focus on understanding nutritional components of neonatal feeding and impact on oral feeding skill development. We will discuss nutritional considerations of human milk, fortification, formula types, and impact on GI function. Videos of premature infants with NEC and intestinal atresia will be reviewed and goals and treatment interventions will be outlined.  
      • Week 7 – Neonatal Assessment and Intervention of Infant Feeding and Swallowing
        • September 30, 2026, 6-7pm CST, with Holly Schifsky, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC, CBIS 
          • This week will focus on understanding neonatal assessment and intervention for infants with feeding and swallowing challenges to better understand the impact of feeding across the lifespan of a child. We will review patient videos and outline goals, interventions, and family interaction for a patient case study. Critical reasoning discussion and care planning will also be heavily discussed.  
      • Week 8 – Instrumental Assessments
        • October 7, 2026, 12-1pm CST, with Melanie Van Noy, MS, CCC-SLP, IBCLC, CNT, NTMTC
          • This week will review recent literature on pediatric FEES and MBSS.  We will discuss the parameters for when FEES or MBSS may be indicated as well as evaluate case studies, during which the pediatric diagnostic imaging test was utilized. 
      • Week 9 – Pediatric Feeding Assessment – ages 2+
        • October 12, 2026, 12-1pm CST, with Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC
          • This week we will focus on building a hypothesis with a thorough case history, understanding the importance of an oral mech evaluation, and making differential diagnosis and delivering information to parents and caregivers.  
      • Week 10 – Pediatric Intervention: Motor Focused Feeding Difficulties
        • October 19, 2026, 12-1pm CST, with Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC – Pediatric Feeding Intervention – Motor Focused Difficulties – ages 2+
          • This week we will prioritize understanding the sensory-motor loop, building relationship and trust before touch, how to facilitate improved motor skills through food modification, and techniques and strategies for tool use.  
      • Week 11 – Pediatric Intervention: Autistic Children – ages 2+ 
        • October 26, 2026, 12-1pm CST, with Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, CNT, BCS-S
          • This week we will discuss building perceived competence, priorities of intrinsic motivation and autonomy, and using bridges to grow flexibility. 
      • Week 12 – Safe, Efficient, & Thorough Documentation
        • November 4, 2026, 12-1pm CST, with Melanie Van Noy, MS, CCC-SLP, IBCLC, CNT, NTMTC and Vanessa Reynolds, MS, CCC-SLP 
          • This week will cover safe, efficient, and thorough documentation, developing a family centered plan of care, and meaningful goal writing. 

 

For more information about PediPods, check out the FAQs.

Curriculum

Curriculum

  • 2 Sections
  • 10 Lessons
  • Lifetime
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Instructor

Holly Schifsky, Louisa Ferrara-Gonzalez, and more
Holly Schifsky, Louisa Ferrara-Gonzalez, and more
Holly Schifsky
Holly Schifsky has worked in pediatrics for 28 yrs., with 20 yrs. in a level IV NICU. She is a Certified Neonatal Therapist, Certified Neonatal Touch and Massage Therapist, Certified Brain Injury Therapist, a member of National Association of Neonatal Therapists, and has completed 6-month mentorship in infant/child NDT. She has worked within the NICU and NICU follow-up clinic to maximize patient and family outcomes for the most complex premature and medically-fragile term infants. Holly received her BS OT from the University of North Dakota. She is a faculty member for Education Resources Inc, the Neonatal Touch and Massage certification, and an endorsed faculty member for Manuel Edema Mobilization. She received the National Association of Neonatal Therapists Clinical Excellence award in 2018 for her clinical expertise and dedication to advancing the therapeutic interventions for NICU infants with cardiopulmonary conditions.
Louisa Ferrara-Gonzalez
Dr. Louisa is an internationally sought-after mentor, consultant, presenter, clinical specialist and expert witness on all topics related to neonatal/pediatric feeding and swallowing development and disorders. She has earned a doctoral degree in speech and language pathology and holds additional specialization as a: · Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing disorders · Board Certified Neonatal Therapist · Certified Lactation Consultant · Neonatal Touch and Massage Certified Therapist · Trauma-Informed Professional Dr. Louisa has almost 2 decades of clinical experience working with medically fragile infants and children. Her clinical focus is on NICU infants and supporting parents as they learn all about their new, unique infant. She started her career working at NYU Langone Hospital Long Island (formerly known as Winthrop University Hospital). She currently works in the NICU at Lenox Hill Hospital, in New York City's Upper East Side. As an active researcher, Dr. Louisa aims to advance the evidence to support appropriate feeding practices for infants admitted to the NICU and beyond. She publishes her research in high-standing, peer-reviewed journals. She is the Chief Clinical Officer at Sipple Care, supporting an innovative approach to screen for aspiration risk in infants and children. Throughout her career Dr. Louisa has proudly served on several advisory boards, committees and programs to help support infants with and without feeding/swallowing difficulties. She currently serves on Dr. Brown's Medical Advisory Board, the National Perinatal Association's Board and the National Association for Neonatal Therapists On-site Conference Committee. Finally, as part of her dedication to improving care to infants with feeding difficulties she is increasing access to specialty providers after NICU discharge through her nationwide provider network called Infant Feeding Specialists, Inc.. Through that platform she is also providing education to other professionals worldwide in hopes to improve their approach to this special population of infants. When not working, she enjoys quality time with her son Mario, husband Joe, dog Sadie, extended family and close friends. Broadway plays, eating delicious meals, reading and being outdoors are some of her favorite things.
Jenny McGlothlin
Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a certified speech-language pathologist and certified lactation counselor specializing in the evaluation and treatment of feeding disorders for children from birth through the teen years. She has been practicing for 20+ years and during that time, developed the STEPS feeding program at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders at the University of Texas at Dallas where she works with families on a daily basis to foster feeding skills that will serve a child for a lifetime. Her passion is teaching children how to eat when they just can’t figure it out on their own, and McGlothlin has been inducted into the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Hall of Fame for her work in the field. She recently served as the Vice President for Social and Governmental Policy for the TSHA, advocating for the profession and for the ethical treatment of the consumers who receive speech and feeding/swallowing services.McGlothlin has spent many years teaching graduate-level courses on feeding as well as early child development, and supervises graduate students in their clinical rotations. She frequently provides feeding workshops for parents and continuing education seminars and webinars for therapists, nationally and internationally. She has co-authored two books, Helping Your Child with Extreme Picky Eating and Conquer Picky Eating for Teens and Adults with Katja Rowell, MD and is a frequent guest on podcasts, television, and print media. As a mother of three school-aged children, McGlothlin makes family meals a priority amidst practices, games, and volunteer activities.
Melanie Van Noy
Melanie has worked as a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist since 2011 and is currently serving families through The Feeding Connection, a lactation and infant feeding services company. She also consults with Knowledge is Now, an educational platform, and works PRN in NICU. She provides instrumental assessments such as FEES and MBSS as needed, diagnosing and treating feeding and swallowing disorders, and providing education for families and staff. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, a Certified Neonatal Therapist, and is certified to perform Neuromuscular Electrical Stim therapy. Melanie has served in many settings over the years including home health, outpatient, and acute services in a level 4 NICU. Melanie is passionate about pediatric feeding and swallowing, especially with the NICU and High Risk Infant populations. She is also a dedicated leader and mentor, always interested in supporting others to grow into places where they can pay it forward and make a difference!  
Vanessa Reynolds
Vanessa has been a pediatric SLP since 2009. Vanessa has experience in the home health, early intervention and outpatient setting as a clinical manager, feeding mentor, and Speech Program Director. Vanessa has supported therapists and leaders through program development, health plan denials and appeals, documentation, and clinical skill development. Vanessa has been providing educational opportunities for 10+ years. Vanessa is currently the Director of Strategic Development for Knowledge Is Now. Her passions revolve around mentorship, leadership, management, and inspiring meaningful growth for direct reports and colleagues. She also excels when it comes to guiding others around medical necessity, goal writing, and clinical decision making for SLPs and pediatric feeding therapists.

Target audiences

  • OT/Assistant/Student
  • SLP/Assistant/Student
$1,049.00