Many children display problems with eating food and enjoying the experience of meal times.

Our course will help you to understand and experience why a child can struggle with feeding.  Developing insight into the motor, sensory and psychological factors involved in this complex process will equip individuals to effectively help children who are ‘picky’ or ‘problem’ feeders.

Structured basic techniques and advice will be taught to integrate into school, ultimately to reduce anxiety and distress around meal times.

Following training each participant will be able to:

•  Identify possible sensory/motor causes of feeding difficulties and differentiate between picky and problems feeders.
•  Introduce activities to reduce a child’s anxieties around food.
•  Implement a range of interventions to develop a child’s feeding ability.
•  Provide a calm and happy positive eating environment.

How much for training in school?

£1200 for up to 20 staff

(Reduced rates will be offered for partnership schools)

 

Testimonials

“The information will enable us to understand sensory issues about food.”

“Really enjoyed it!

Interventions and techniques will be useful for my work with the children.”

“It has given me a better understanding of the complexity

of causes/reasons for feeding difficulties”

“Looking more closely at the children eating, may video the first lunch time

and watch it at the end of the day so we can look more carefully at each child.”

“Dinner staff/lunch time supervisors to be involved so that they can give more time

and now what food to offer and in a nice presentable manner.”

Oliver is a three year old with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  As an infant he suffered from significant gastro oesophageal reflux which led to problems with weaning.  At assessment he would only eat food that was completely smooth/blended and would vomit/choke on any food with a slight lump.  When eating, he needed a distractor/ television, showing no awareness of the task.  His parents would feed him pureed food using a spoon, with the slightest lump making him gag so food had to be blended completely. Oliver has accessed three weeks of individual food therapy at Tree Tops Children’s Occupational Therapy along with a home programme and structure for meal times/food therapy at home.  He has also had sensory integration activities integrated into home. The following testimonial is what mum has said after three weeks of intervention.

“Oliver observes all of his food on the work bench. I then put it in to a jug and blend it down whilst he continues to watch. Oliver then takes himself off to his feeding chair and sits in it, waiting for me to bring his food over to him.  He now waits eagerly for his meal to begin.  Oliver's food has now gone from smooth food to small lumps because I believe his sensory glands are starting to move back on his tongue.  He will take certain foods to his mouth now independently such as  Quavers, Wotsits, breadsticks, cheese and crackers.  His sitting posture is very good and I very rarely connect his straps. He sits quite happily for longer periods of time. He holds his spoon the odd time and also I leave it in his mouth and he will hand it back to me.  His eye contact is stronger and he seems to be seeking out some form of playtime more with his siblings. He is becoming much better with longer periods of time with other human contact. He is singing more and more and words are coming along nicely. Oliver is making positive progress moving forward in the right direction with the help and support of Dawn and her team of people.”

CPD

A certificate of attendance is supplied to all participants.

The skills, knowledge and experience will help your continuing professional development (CPD).