Jessica Hunt – Complex Feeding & Mealtime Success Sensory, Motor

You will learn much more than the sensory issues causing these feeding difficulties; we will examine behavior issues as well as oral motor difficulties. Get the techniques you need to make mealtimes more peaceful and positive!

• Evaluate how sensory processing, behavior and oral motor skills impact or interfere with each child’s ability to eat.
• Role Play how to implement sensory techniques during and prior to meal times to address difficulties such as not wanting to touch certain foods or sitting at the table.
• Implement oral motor exercises and strategies to promote feeding patterns such as rotary chewing pattern, lip closure and tongue lateralization.
• Explore the misconceptions about feeding that impact special needs children.
• Assess the behaviors that interfere with eating and learn strategies to address the behavior.
• Support and guide the parents, caregivers and other family members through often emotional or stressful meal times.

Walk away with the knowledge to identify the cause(s) of a feeding disorder and develop therapeutic interventions you can begin using immediately.

Dive into the typical development of eating skills, medically recognized nutritional needs of the growing child, and sensory-based approaches to mealtime behavioral issues. Explore a variety of techniques that encourage children to participate during mealtime.

• Communicate commonalities in the development of play, emotional intelligence and mealtime skills.
• Determine common myths about picky eaters and the research-based evidence that contradicts these commonly held assumptions.
• Analyze and differentiate a child’s current food choices for nutritional value and sensory preferences.
• Formulate a plan for successfully introducing new and nourishing foods.
• Integrate therapeutic interventions that motivate and reward expanded food choices and the development of competent eating skill

Jessica Hunt, OTRL, is the director of occupational therapy and sensory integration programs at the prestigious Kaufman Children’s Center for Speech, Language, Sensory-Motor and Social Connections, Inc., in West Bloomfield, MI. She has extensive experience in pediatric occupational therapy and sensory integration in both the home and clinic settings. In addition, Jessica is trained in “picky eating”, oral-motor therapy including the Beckman protocol, Talk Tools® and craniosacral therapy. She has advanced training in Therapeutic Listening® and Samonas Sound Therapy. Jessica is certified in Handwriting Without Tears®, Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) and is an Interactive Metronome® program consultant.

Susan L. Roberts, MDiv, OTR/L, has worked with autistic children, their families, and their communities for more than 20 years, developing “positive” and highly-effective solutions for the home and school. She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Boston University, and research interests in the sensory aspects of healing rituals led her to a Master of Divinity from Harvard University. Today, her research focuses on the primary occupation of childhood – play, as well as the use of mind/body approaches to achieve optimal health and wellness.