Pediatric Feeding Training - June 23-24, 2025 - LIVE Online

Mealtime Miseries:

Management of Complex Feeding Disorders

Course Description:

How does feeding, a process so integral to the child’s health and well-being, go awry? The focus of this 2 day course is on the Transdisciplinary Effective Assessment and Treatment (TR-eat®) model integrating oral motor/sensory therapy techniques along with medical and behavioral management for the treatment of complex feeding problems. It will cover innovative strategies, using video case examples, to address oral aversion, food refusal, poor transition onto solid foods, texture grading, learning to chew, self-feeding and feeding difficulties related to autism and picky eaters. It is relevant for infants and children through school age. This course is packed with practical solutions and hands-on techniques that will empower you with new treatment ideas for your most complex patients. These interventions are systematic and evidence-based with research supporting outcomes.

This course is appropriate for the following clinicians working with children with feeding disorders: OT, COTA, SLP, RD, RN, CSW, BCBA, Psychologists. This course is appropriate for clinicians with all levels of experience. Additionally, please let us know if you would like to request assistance for special learning needs or other accommodations for attendance of this course.

Learning Objectives:

Following this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the foundational principles of the TR-eat™ model.
• Identify at least 3 variables/issues (medical, oral motor, sensory or behavioral) that produce a complex pediatric feeding problem.
• Identify at least 3 therapeutic interventions to introduce oral feeding to the “new” feeder.
• Differentiate between behavioral strategies such as reinforcement, desensitization, shaping, chaining, and fading and how these can improve feeding skill development ranging from the “new” feeder to “selective” eaters.
• Identify at least 3 therapeutic interventions for texture grading, chewing and progression to age appropriate feeding skills for the “advanced” feeder.
• Demonstrate competence for spoon handling, squeeze bottle use and facilitative chewing strategies.

Schedule:

All times below are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Day One

7:45 – Log-in starts

8:00-9:45 – Review of feeding development birth-24 months (video examples). Identification of common etiologies related to feeding problems and challenges. Feeding difficulties for the “new” feeder – Evaluation/treatment (medical management, formula, positioning) with case studies

9:45-10:00 – Break

10:00-11:30 – Continue evaluation/treatment for the “new” feeder (oral-motor interventions, introducing spoon feeding) with case studies

11:30-12:30 – Lunch (on your own)

12:30–2:30 – Practice spoon placement and handling techniques, squeeze bottle use and preparation of smooth pureed table foods

2:30-2:45 – Break

2:45-4:30 – Introduction and application of behavioral principles, clinical problem solving, case examples

Day Two

7:45 - Log-in starts

8:00-9:45 – Continuation of application of behavioral principles, clinical problem solving, case examples. Feeding problems and interventions for the “advanced” feeder (texture grading – preparation of texture graded pureed/chopped table foods, assessment and implication of tongue tie on chewing advancement, teaching chewing skills) with case studies

9:45-10:00 – Break

10:00-11:30 – Continue interventions for the “advanced” feeder (teaching chewing skills, addressing food packing behavior, introduction of self-feeding) with case studies

11:30-12:30 – Lunch (on your own)

12:30-2:30 – Continue interventions for the “advanced” feeder (self-feeding, cup drinking, straw drinking) with case studies. Treatment techniques for children with autism, the “picky” eater and those diagnosed with ARFID (food fading, systematic desensitization, structured mealtimes, reward programs) with case examples.

2:30-2:45 – Break

2:45-4:30 – Continue treatment techniques for children with autism, the “picky” eater and those diagnosed with ARFID (food fading, systematic desensitization, structured mealtimes, reward programs) with case examples.

Course Faculty:

Elizabeth Clawson, MS, PhD, LCP, HSPP is an internationally renowned pediatric clinical psychologist known for her extensive work in the field of pediatric feeding disorders. Dr. Clawson is a dynamic and engaging speaker who is able to combine her clinical expertise with research based outcomes to support the intervention strategies presented in this course. Dr. Clawson received her MS and PhD degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University. She completed her internship training at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program. She has an active clinical practice, as well as presented and published extensively in the area of pediatric psychology.

Carol Elliott, BS, OTR/L is an internationally recognized and energetic speaker. Carol began her career in the area of pediatric Occupational Therapy in 1987 after receiving her degree at Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA. Since 1998 Carol has devoted her clinical practice to the treatment of children with complex feeding disorders. Her clinical practice provides treatment for infants through teenagers. Along with her full time clinical practice, she has published multiple articles, conducted numerous presentations and has provided consultative services to other professionals and treatment centers in the area of pediatric feeding evaluation/treatment.

This course is offered for 1.4 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).

The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Occupational Therapists will receive a certificate for 14.5 hours of continuing education credit (1.45 CEUs) for the completion of this two-day course. Participants must attend all course hours and complete demonstration component of the course in order to receive AOTA CEUs. This course does not provide partial participation for AOTA CEU credits.

Attendees from other disciplines will also receive a certificate for 14.5 hours of continuing education credit for the completion of this two-day course.

Disclosure Statements:

Content – This presentation will focus exclusively on the TR-eat® model and will not include information on other similar or related methods or products.

Products – PFI Squeeze bottles, along with similar feeding tools/products, will be discussed during the presentation. The squeeze bottle is offered for sale through the Pediatric Feeding Institute.

Elizabeth Clawson, MS, PhD, LCP, HSPP is employed by Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville, IN, Pediatric Feeding Institute, Inc., and Thrive! Pediatric Feeding Therapy, LLC.

Disclosure:

Financial – Employee and Co-founder of the Pediatric Feeding Institute, Inc. Receives honoraria and royalty payments for speaking and products developed by Pediatric Feeding Institute, Inc. Employee/Owner of Thrive! Pediatric Feeding Therapy, LLC. Receives payment for treatment provided to clients who obtain services through this company.

Non-Financial – Employee of Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at Ascension  St. Vincent Medical Center, Evansville, IN. Receives no compensation for speaking/presenting or for patients referred for services at this center. Has no relevant relationship with products or services described, reviewed, or compared in this presentation.

Carol Elliott, BS, OTR/L is employed by the Pediatric Feeding Institute, Inc. and Pediatric Feeding Services, Inc.

Disclosure:

Financial – Employee and Co-founder of the Pediatric Feeding Institute, Inc. Receives honoraria and royalty payments for speaking and products developed by Pediatric Feeding Institute, Inc. Employee/Owner of Pediatric Feeding Services, Inc. Receives payment for treatment provided to clients who obtain services through this company.

Non-Financial – Has no relevant relationship with products or services described, reviewed, or compared in this presentation.

Important Note About Delivery of Course Materials for U.S. Attendees ONLY:

When you register, we will request a shipping address in order to mail materials you will need to participate in the course.  Your package should arrive at least one week prior to the course. The shipping cost is included in your registration fee for contiguous U.S. attendees only (not Alaska or Hawaii). PowerPoint handouts and course reference materials will be downloadable for all participants via links sent out prior to the course.

Important Note About Course Materials for International Attendees ONLY:

Thank you for considering registering for Mealtime Miseries. Shipping of materials used for the hands-on portions of the course are only available within the United States at this time. PowerPoint handouts and course reference materials will be downloadable for all participants via links sent out prior to the course.

Please visit our for examples of materials that will be used for the hands-on portion of the course. Scroll down to find the "Course Materials" section. These items may be available to you locally or through an online vendor such as Amazon. Please try to find something close to these.

Refund Policy

You may cancel your registration up to 7 days before the workshop start date to receive a refund less a $35 administrative fee. No-shows or cancellations received less than 7 days prior to the course are non-refundable but can be rescheduled for a future course date.

Host or Publisher Pediatric Feeding Institute