SOS Approach to Feeding – Advanced Workshops

#	Date	Content	Duration
1		August 15, 2025 / 8:00 am-12:15 pm = Feeding the Child on the Autism Spectrum (Dr. Kay Toomey) – 1:15 pm-5:30 pm = Feeding the 6-16 Month Old Child (Dr. Erin Ross)	570min
2		August 16, 2025/ 8:00 am-12:15 pm = Working with Children with Severe Developmental Impairments (Dr. Kay Toomey) / 1:15 pm-3:15 pm = Children with Gastroesophageal Reflux (Dr. Erin Ross) / 3:30 pm-5:30 pm = Tools in Your Pantry: Effectively Using the Oral-Motor Steps to Eating (Dr. Erin Ross)	570min
3		August 17, 2025 / 8:00 am-12:15 pm = Food Science Model: SOS Approach to Feeding Adaptation for the School Aged Child (Dr. Kay Toomey) / 1:15 pm-5:30 pm = Parents as Partners: Helping the Challenging Family (Dr. Kay Toomey)	570min

Feeding the Child on the Autism Spectrum

This Advanced Workshop outlines why children on the Autism Spectrum struggle so much more than other children with eating and feeding. Challenges that are unique to children on the Autism Spectrum as identified by research are presented within each of the 7 areas of Human Functioning (the “iceberg”) discussed in the Basic SOS course. Next, General Treatment Strategies that are recommended for all children on the Autism Spectrum will be discussed. The last section of the course is dedicated to outlining how to make a “downward” adaptation of the Basic SOS program for the child on the severe end of the Autism Spectrum.

Presented by: Dr. Kay Toomey: Pediatric Psychologist, President of Toomey & Associates, Inc., and developer of the SOS Approach to Feeding program
Prerequisite: Requires attendee to have completed the Basic SOS Approach to Feeding training program and provide Certificate of Attendance from the 3-4 day training.

Special Populations = Children on the Autism Spectrum

Feeding Disorders = Food Allergies/Sensitivities/Intolerances

Special Interest Topics = Expanding children’s food range and volume, Using food as a therapeutic tool

OBJECTIVES

1. List at least five problems that children with ASD have that make feeding especially difficult for them;
2. Identify at least two components of the Adaptation of the SOS Approach to Feeding for children with ASD;
3. List at least three hierarchy strategies for children with ASD

AGENDA

1 Introduction & Prevalence

2 Unique Challenges When Feeding Children with ASD

3 General Treatment Strategy Adaptations – Family Meals & Food Jags

4 Other Therapies to Consider

5 Adapting the SOS Structure & Food Hierarchies

6 Adapting the SOS Therapy Meal Routine

7 Adapting the SOS Steps to Eating Hierarchy Play Strategies

8 Materials Review

TIME = 3 hours 52 minutes

 

Feeding the 6-16 Month Old Child

This Advanced Workshop provides a “downward” adaptation of the Basic SOS program for the young infant and toddler beginning solid foods at 5-6 months (baby foods, finger foods, table foods) through the transition off the bottle/breast and onto a full table foods diet at about 16-18 months of age. The workshop breaks this time period into 5 time periods and provides recommendations on how to feed a child at each of these stages. The workshop is organized around the differences in feeding schedules, feeding techniques, positioning, types of foods offered and the role of developmental transitions in feeding at each age.

Presented by: Dr. Erin Ross: Internationally recognized Infant Feeding Specialist, Speech Pathologist and creator of SOFFI®, Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants in the NICU.

Prerequisite: Requires attendee to have completed the Basic SOS Approach to Feeding training program and provide Certificate of Attendance from the 3-4 day training.

Special Populations = 6-16 Month Old Children

Special Interest Topics = Expanding children’s food range and volume, Using food as a therapeutic tool

OBJECTIVES

1 List at least two of the basic therapeutic issues occurring during each of five time periods

2 Identify the structure at each time period for helping babies and toddlers progress appropriately

3 List at least one therapy strategy for babies and toddlers who are struggling with eating and/or children with feeding delays

AGENDA

1. Introduction & Structure of Each Age Range

2.  5-6 Month Old Child

3.  7-8 Month Old Child

4.  9-11 Month Old Child

5.  12-13 Month Old Child

6.  14-17 Month Old Child

7 . Materials Review

TIME = 3 hours 36 minutes

 

Working with Children with Severe Developmental Impairments

This Advanced Workshop begins with outlining the similar challenges that children with severe developmental impairments have with learning to eat and general strategies to consider when working with any of these children and their families. Next, 4 types of impairments will each be discussed and how to use the SOS Approach to Feeding techniques to help these children improve their feeding and eating skills. Strategies for children with severe cognitive impairments, significant motor problems, visual impairments and swallowing challenges will be outlined.

Presented by: Dr. Kay Toomey: Pediatric Psychologist, President of Toomey & Associates, Inc. And the developer of the SOS Approach to Feeding program.

Prerequisite: Requires attendee to have completed the Basic SOS Approach to Feeding training program and provide Certificate of Attendance from the 3-4 day training.

Special Populations = Children with severe developmental impairments,

Special Interest Topics = Expanding children’s food range and volume, Using food as a therapeutic tool

OBJECTIVES

1. Identify three challenges for Feeding Therapy shared across children with Severe  Developmental Delays.

2. List four strategies to assist the child with significant motor impairments.

3.  Identify two SOS feeding interventions for children who are significantly cognitively delayed.

4.  List five strategies to help children with visual impairments to learn to eat better.

5.  Differentiate at least 3 directions Feeding Therapy can take with children with swallowing

Difficulties.

AGENDA

1. Materials Introduction

2.  Unique Issues Impacting Feeding

3 . Children with Motor Impairments – Special Issues & Strategies

4. Children with Cognitive Impairments – Special Issues & Strategies

5. Children with Visual Impairments – Special Issues & Strategies

6.  Children with Swallow Challenges – Special Issues & Strategies

7.  Materials Review

TIME = 4 hours 15 minutes

 

CHILDREN WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX

This Advanced Workshop provides additional education on the factors of gastroesophageal reflux that negatively impact a child’s feeding. Definitions for Gastroesophageal Reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, as well as information regarding diagnosis and treatment from a medical standpoint are reviewed. Scheduling, positioning and other feeding strategies are provided to mitigate the challenges which Reflux creates for a child who suffers from this problem.

Presented by: Dr. Erin Ross: Internationally recognized Infant Feeding Specialist, Speech

Pathologist and creator of SOFFI®, Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants in the NICU.

Prerequisite: Requires attendee to have completed the Basic SOS Approach to Feeding training program and provide Certificate of Attendance from the 3-4 day training.

Special Population = Infants and Children Gastroesophageal Reflux

Feeding Disorders = Gastroesophageal Reflux; Food Allergies/Sensitivities/Intolerances

OBJECTIVES

1. Define Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)

2. List at least three causes of GER

3. Identify at least three feeding treatment strategies for helping to manage GER

AGENDA

1.  Materials Introduction

2. Definitions & Reasons for Reflux

3. Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis of Reflux

4. Medical Treatments for Reflux

5. Feeding Interventions for Reflux

6. Materials Review

TIME = 2 hours, 3 minutes

 

Tools in Your Pantry: Effectively Using the New Oral-Motor Steps to Eating
This Advanced Workshop helps attendees refine their ability to create Food Hierarchies which better meet the sensory and oral-motor skill development needs of children with pediatric feeding disorders. Additional strategies for “using food as the tool” in feeding therapy will also be discussed. The new Oral-motor Steps to Eating hierarchy will be presented. Dr. Toomey, Dr. Ross and other Speech Pathologists at SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR spent over a year in discussion to expand the Tasting and Eating steps from the Basic SOS course. The new Oral-Motor Steps to Eating Hierarchy breaks down the original tasting and eating steps into smaller steps, to help children with significant oral-motor issues acquire the skills to eat a wide variety of age appropriate foods.

Presented by: Dr. Erin Ross: Internationally recognized Infant Feeding Specialist, Speech

Pathologist and creator of SOFFI®, Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants in the NICU.

Prerequisite: Requires attendee to have completed the Basic SOS Approach to Feeding training program and provide Certificate of Attendance from the 3-4 day training.

Feeding Disorders = Children with oral-motor feeding problems

Special Interest Topics = Oral Motor Steps to Eating, Expanding children’s food range and volume, Using food as a therapeutic tool

OBJECTIVES

1. List at least two oral-motor skills required to eat a “meltable” food;

2. Identify at least three major steps in the Oral-Motor steps to eating;

3. List at least two activities for food play in the mouth, for purees, “meltables”, and “Hard

Munchable” foods

AGENDA

1. Introduction & SOS Oral Motor Steps

2. Why Use Food vs Tools?

3. Food Sequences

4. Using Foods to Meet the Goals of Common Tools-Based Programs

5. Goal Setting, Safety & Workshop Exercise

6. Materials Review
TIME = 2 hours 42 minutes

 

Food Scientist Model: SOS Approach to Feeding Adaptation for the School Aged Child
This Advanced Workshop presents an “upward” adaptation of the Basic SOS program for the child aged 6 years and older. The first half of this course will describe how children in Concrete Operations are different and what changes to the Basic SOS program need to be made with regard to session structure, the Key Phrases, Food Hierarchies and Hierarchy Strategies. The 3 levels of Food Science will be outlined, along with video demonstrating the differences in how to teach skills to the children at each of the 3 levels. The second half of the course will present in detail, the lessons that are taught to the children and parents as a part of each Food Science session.

Presented by: Dr. Kay Toomey: Pediatric Psychologist, President of Toomey & Associates, Inc. And the developer of the SOS Approach to Feeding program.

Prerequisite: Requires attendee to have completed the Basic SOS Approach to Feeding training program and provide Certificate of Attendance from the 3-4 day training.

Special Populations = Children from 6 to > 18 years of age

Special Interest Topics = Expanding children’s food range and volume, Using food as a therapeutic tool

OBJECTIVES

1. Differentiate between the older child population for whom the “Food Scientist” adaptation is appropriate and the younger child for whom the Basic SOS program is appropriate.

2. List the three levels of Food Science and identify at least one Lesson taught at each level

3. List the steps in the SOS Food Science - Feeding Therapy routine.

4. Identify at least two strategies at each of the three Food Science levels for helping children to move up the Steps to Eating.

AGENDA

1. Introduction

2. Cognitive & Psychosocial Differences Review

3. Three Levels of Intervention for the Older Child

4. Adapting the SOS Session Structure for the Older Child

5. Food Science Lessons for the Level B Child

6. Food Science Lessons for the Level C Child

7 .Food Science Lessons for the Level A Child

8. Materials Review

TIME = 4 hours 17 minutes

 

Parents as Partners: Helping the “Challenging” Family
This Advanced Workshop is designed to help Feeding Therapists better understand what makes working with families of children with feeding difficulties so much more challenging than many other types of disorders. The experiences of being a parent of a child who does not eat will be discussed along with what a Feeding Therapist can do to be helpful to parents going through this process. In addition, participants in this workshop will be asked to take a Self-Test to look at what their own strengths and weaknesses are when working with these types of families, and what types of biases we may be bringing to the table. Strategies for helping ourselves be better therapists will be given, along with how to teach each of the Parent Lessons that are a part of the SOS Approach to Feeding program.

Presented by: Dr. Kay Toomey: Pediatric Psychologist, President of Toomey & Associates, Inc. And the developer of the SOS Approach to Feeding program.

Prerequisite: Requires attendee to have completed the Basic SOS Approach to Feeding training program and provide Certificate of Attendance from the 3-4 day training.

Special Interest Topics = working with challenging families who have children with Feeding Disorders

OBJECTIVES

1. Identify three factors that interfere with a family being able to carry out feeding treatment

recommendations in their home.

2. Identify three factors that interfere with a Therapist creating a supportive partnership with

parents/caregivers.

3. List the four steps for good communication;

4. List the main teaching point for each of at least five Parent Lessons Behind-the-Mirror.

AGENDA

1. Introduction

2. Sharing Information with Families Based on Family Centered Care Principles

3. Family Support in SOS

4. Understanding the Parent’s View

5. What Gets in Parents’ Way

6. Parent Lessons

7. BEACH Questionnaire for Therapists

8. What Gets in Therapist’s Way

9. Good Communication Skills & Problem Solving

10. Materials Review

TIME = 3 hours 37 minutes

 

 

Dr. Kay Toomey

Dr. Kay A. Toomey is a Pediatric Psychologist who has worked with children who don’t eat for over 35 years. She has developed the SOS Approach to Feeding as a family centered program for assessing and treating children with feeding problems. Dr. Toomey speaks nationally and internationally about her approach. Dr. Toomey helped to form The Children’s Hospital – Denver’s Pediatric Oral Feeding Clinic, as well as the Rose Medical Center’s Pediatric Feeding Center. Dr. Toomey co-chaired the Pediatric Therapy Services Department at Rose Medical Center prior to entering private practice. Dr. Toomey acted as the Clinical Director for Toomey & Associates, Inc.’s Feeding Clinic, and then the SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR before shifting into clinical consultation in order to focus on her teaching. Dr. Toomey is currently the President of Toomey & Associates, Inc. and an Adjunct Research Fellow at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

 

 

 

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Prof. Dr. Erin Ross

Erin Sundseth Ross, PhD, CCC-SLP received her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 2007, followed by a 2-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Section of Nutrition at the University of Colorado Denver. Her master’s degree is in Speech and Language Pathology, from California State University Stanislaus, which she received in 1988. Dr. Ross is currently an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado and is on faculty at the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She has authored several book chapters and publications related to feeding preterm infants and infants with medical comorbidities. Dr. Ross provides clinical consultation to several Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU) within the HealthONE system in Denver, in addition to providing professional education and research consultation through Feeding FUNdamentals, LLC. She created SOFFI®, a training program for caregivers in the NICU and therapists and other professionals working with babies who are having problems breast or bottle feeding at home. She brings 30+ years of experience working with premature infants and infants with medical problems.