Feeding Conference for OTD faculty, students, and community therapists

The doctorate of occupational therapy program hosted “Get Permission Approach to Pediatric Mealtime Challenges” on April 13 and 14. Marsha Dunn Klein, an occupational therapist with 47 years of experience working with children having feeding disorders or tube feedings, spoke to 43 OTD students, 4 OTD faculty, 6 speech language pathologists, and local occupational therapists. There are growing numbers of children requiring specialized feeding techniques, equipment, and parent instruction to help children develop feeding and eating strategies. Occupational therapists and speech language pathologists are trained to provide skilled interventions with children. The course focused on specific strategies to introduce new foods and heighten awareness of food sensitivities to children with autism spectrum disorders, feeding tubes, and with other gastrointestinal limitations. We want to thank the graduate office and the dining services for their assistance while on the main HU campus. For more information of occupational therapy feeding issues, contact Dr. Patricia Henton at 260-702-9624 or patricia.henton@huntington.edu