SOS Approach to Feeding: The SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) feeding program is a non-invasive developmental approach to feeding. It focuses on increasing a child’s comfort level exploring and learning about the different properties of foods, including texture, smell, taste and consistency. The SOS approach allows a child to interact with food in a playful, non-stressful way. The SOS approach follows a hierarchy to feeding, beginning with the basic ability to tolerate food in the room, in front of him/her, touching and eventually tasting and eating foods. Parent education and involvement is an important part of this feeding approach. During individual sessions, a therapist works directly with the parents while they are watching each feeding session to learn this approach to feeding. Parents learn to identify physical signs and “body language” to identify when the child is over stimulated and to assist with setting up the home program.
* This approach can be utilized in one to one settings, as well as with small groups of 2-6 children.
Reflux (GERD): Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the esophagus becomes irritated or inflamed because of acid backing up from the stomach. The esophagus or food pipe is the tube stretching from the throat to the stomach. When food is swallowed, it travels down the esophagus. It is normal for children below a year of age to have some acid reflux. It becomes full GERD when it is excessive or continues past one year of age.
Aspiration: Occurs when gastric contents from reflux or food, enters into the trachea, and may eventually enter into the lung.
Swallow Study: Videofleuroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) Is where the patient swallows a variety of liquids and foods mixed with barium, as a radiologist takes video X-rays of the mouth and throat. These images show how food passes from the mouth through the throat and into the esophagus. They may also reveal aspiration, foreign matter entering the lungs, if barium enters the windpipe. Aspiration, talked about above, puts individuals at risk for lung infections.
For more information on feeding terms and feeding disorders, please contact us.