Therapro's February 22nd Saturday seminar was a topic attendees have been consistently requesting.
Kate Barlow, OT, OTD, OTR, presented an excellent seminar entitled:
Pediatric Treatment Strategies for Oral Motor Deficits. In her seminar, Kate's objectives included 1)Therapists will understand the importance of screening all children for feeding concerns and 2) Therapists will be able to identify oral motor treatments for specific target areas: the lips, cheeks, tongue and jaw.
Dr. Barlow has an extensive and interesting background in her area of expertise in pediatric feeding and swallowing. She is an assistant professor at American International College (AIC) and is the CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. Ambassador for the state of Massachusetts. Her clinical practice has focused on pediatric practice in the school setting, early intervention, and in a hospital-based outpatient clinic. In addition, she has presented at state conferences and guest lectured at a number of universities on this topic. She has presented her research at national and international conferences, and her research is ongoing.
AOTA supports the role of occupational therapists in feeding, eating, and swallowing, and training others in precautions and techniques. In 2019 a Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework were stated by Goday, et al. as "Impaired oral intake that is not age appropriate, and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychological dysfunction." Kate has identified four domains of Feeding Evaluation to include: Oral Motor; Sensory/Picky Eaters; Avoidance; and Posture/Mechanics. OTs treat a broad range of feeding problems, but today's seminar focused on deficits with oral motor skills.
Kate targeted anatomical areas that affect feeding skills including cheeks, jaw, tongue, lips, and tongue, discussing assessment and then formulating a plan tailored to the child. For treatment, she advocated always doing a "warm up" to get the child comfortable and relaxed, that includes offering choices so that the child feels some control in the session. Another tip she recommended was to offer the child a washcloth after taking a bite of food to allay anxiety. A treatment example to increase lip awareness, strengthening, and closure involved using a variety of options, such as applying vibration. She likes the new
VibraZilla tool that features 6 therapeutic vibratory modes. She discussed having the child kiss the
Z-vibe Animal tops and teaching straw drinking through the
Mr. Juice Bear or juice box. Blowing bubbles, or using whistles are great techniques for lip strengthening. A few Therapro blowing products include
Magic Bubble Bear,
Mini Bubble Trumpet, and
Whistle and Blow Toy Kits.
Dr. Barlow eagerly shared her expertise with attendees today in a concise, practical, and comprehensive style. Her slides and video clips helped us clearly understand the strategies she taught. She provided a range of references and continuing education recommendations. As more therapists encounter children they treat in all settings with feeding difficulties, we learned we have the capability to assess and treat them to help ensure their success with eating.
Take a look at some of the attendees' glowing comments:
"Excellent, practical strategies. Very well presented. Clear PowerPoint." - Alice T., Occupational Therapist
"Probably one of the best, most applicable seminars I've attended. Kate was organized and extensive in her approach. Covered a lot of ground in a very short time. Kate was warm, extremely competent and accessible. I left with a feeding toolbox and an amazing resource in the field. Thank you!" - Bernadette W., Occupational Therapist
"Kate was clear, knowledgeable and willing to share her experience in an accessible way. Made me think 'I can do this too' even though she is an expert. Thank you!" - Terri F., Occupational Therapist
"Great useful content." - Lois D. Occupational Therapist
Thank you, Kate!
Filomena Connor, OT, MS, OTR
February 22, 2020