“In my 16 years of practice, this was the best conference I’ve ever attended, and the most useful. Nina was an amazing presenter with knowledge in all realms.  Very holistic approach to feeding disorders.”

“This was quite possibly the best pediatric feeding course I have ever attended. I learned more in two days from Nina Johanson than any other presenter on the topic. I would jump at the opportunity to sit in her course again!”

AEIOU: An Integrated Approach to Pediatric Feeding

2-day Continuing Education Course for Professionals

Learn a step-by-step approach for helping children explore food, enjoy eating, and participate independently in social mealtimes. The AEIOU approach- acceptance, exposure, independence, observation and understanding – is a responsive feeding approach that offers a highly successful method for integrated treatment of infants and young children with mild to complex etiologies. Participants will leave with extensive knowledge and practical information: improve quality of mealtime, manage tube dependency and transition to eating solid foods, treat sensory aversions, improve oral-motor skills, and more. This course is presented in a dynamic learning environment, using case studies and videos to engage and instruct participants. Extensive resources are provided and participants will be well equipped to help families achieve home carryover. Many special populations are discussed including: prematurity, GERD, allergies, autism, failure to thrive, tracheostomy, picky eaters, tongue and lip ties, and children with various syndromes.

Online Course Agenda (US Eastern Time)

Live virtual format; recording not available

Day One:   

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9:30-10:00    Sign-On/Registration/Meet and Greet

10:00-11:00   Foundations to Management; Support From     

                         the Literature; Introduction to AEIOU

11:00-12:00   Developmental Progression of Feeding Skills;

                          Interactive Exercise

12:00-12:30  Break

12:30-1:45     Factors that Limit Successful Feeding

1:45-2:30      Case Reviews: Applying the 5 Factors:

                        Acceptance, Exposure, Independence,

                        Observation, Understanding

2:30-3:00     Break

3:00-3:45     Case Reviews Continued

3:45-5:00      When to Treat: Priorities and

                        Contraindications; How to Treat: The 5-step                                  Comprehensive Plan

5:00-5:30      Break

5:30-6:45     Attachment/Communication/Control:

                        Addressing Mealtime Interactions and Behavior;

                        Effective Parent Training

6:45-7:30      Establishing The Mealtime Environment:

                        Merry Mealtime Guide

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Learning Objectives

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1. Develop assessment and treatment strategies that integrate 5 management factors for biomedical and enviro-behavioral influences that limit successful feeding in infants and young children.

2. Formulate strategies to achieve parent buy-in for home carryover, promote positive parent-child interaction, and help children participate independently in social mealtime routines.

3. Identify contraindications for oral feeding and describe a 5-step treatment plan for advancing pre-feeding skills in non-oral feeders.

4. Assess signs of distress and/or disengagement during feeding.

5. Develop and implement treatment plans for oral feeding that expand taste repertoire and texture acceptance by incorporating strategies for the mealtime environment, seating/positioning, and oral-motor, sensory, and motor deficits.

Day Two:

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10:00-11:00   Therapy Meals; Video Presentation of

                          Treatment

11:00-12:00   Treating the Whole Child; Family-

                          Centered Care

12:00-12:30   Break

12:30-1:00     Seating/Positioning/Self-Feeding:

                         Achieving Autonomy and Independence

1:00-2:30      Sensory Processing/Food Play:  

                         Expanding Taste Repertoire and Texture

                        Acceptance

2:30-3:00     Break

3:00-4:15      Video Presentations of Treatment

                        Group Discussion

4:15-5:00     Nutritional Issues: Weight Gain vs. Brain

                        Gain

5:00-5:30     Break

5:30-6:45      Oral-Motor Treatment: Achieving

                         Success in 5 Steps; Treatment Video

6:45-7:30     Tricks With Tools; Tips From My                                          Toolbox, Resources, and More

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Target Audience

SLPs, OTs, PTs, Assistants, Educators.  Appropriate for

other professionals (social workers, nurses, dieticians, etc.) working with infants and young children with feeding problems.

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US:  This course is offered for 1.6 CEU's (see ASHA block below)

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Australia:  16 Continuing Education Hours

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