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Description
This ALE/capstone project aimed to bridge the knowledge gap between families, caregivers, and therapists during a 12-week feeding program at a local outpatient pediatric facility in Louisville, KY. The goal was to promote carryover of SOS-based strategies at home and boost caregiver confidence in implementing them. Dr. Kay Toomey, founder of the SOS Approach to Feeding, developed an evidence-based framework for children with feeding difficulties, following the developmental sequence of feeding skills from oral motor and sensory perspectives. The program incorporated resources from Dr. Toomey, including physical documents and links for additional materials for families and professionals.The project focused on increasing caregiver engagement during education sessions and providing digital copies of resources for access outside the clinic. Deliverables included 10 weekly PowerPoints for therapists to present, individualized handouts to encourage motivation and interaction with SOS strategies at home, and digital access to all resources. At the program’s conclusion, families completed surveys with open-ended questions to evaluate the educational framework. Feedback revealed that revised materials improved understanding, reduced overwhelm, and enhanced confidence in applying SOS strategies. Therapists also observed greater caregiver participation and follow-through between sessions. With these findings, it is vital to empower caregivers with clear, manageable resources that fosters confidence and continuity of therapy beyond the clinic, ultimately supporting the child’s feeding journey.
Graduation Date
2025
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Degree Type
Book
Site Mentor
Jaime Haley, MS, OTR/L
Comments
Link to presentation: https://youtu.be/tOTI8sULCh0
The information presented in this talk was developed by Dr. Kay Toomey or has been adapted from the work of Dr. Toomey. This information is being given by speaker with the written permission of Dr. Toomey.