What is SOS Feeding Therapy?
The SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Feeding therapy approach was developed by Dr. Kay Toomey and is rooted in the belief that feeding is a developmental process involving all of an individual’s sensory systems in addition to their oral motor skills. Feeding therapists trained in the SOS approach work with children and their caregivers to build a positive association with food and reduce anxiety around mealtimes through a structured approach that supports children to move up the feeding hirearchy.
The Feeding Hierarchy
Children will be at different points of the feeding hierarchy depending on what food is in front of them. SOS feeding therapy meets a child where they are at with each food and uses play and a child’s natural curiosity to support them to explore foods on their terms. With support from their feeding therapist, children move through the following steps:
- Tolerating the Presence of Food
- Interacting with Food (using all sensory systems)
- Tasting the Food
- Chewing and Swallowing the Food
Who Can Benefit from SOS Feeding Therapy?
The SOS approach to feeding has been shown to be successful with children with a variety of feeding needs including:
- Picky Eating
- Sensory-Based Feeding Difficutlies
- Feeding Aversion
- Feeding Skill Deficits
- Anxiety Around Food and Mealtimes
Feeding Therapy with South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy
Feeding Therapy with South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy is individualised based on your child’s needs. We are trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding and use this approach alongside other individualised strategies to support your child to build a positive relationship with food and mealtimes. Please follow this link for more information about the SOS Approach to Feeding.
If you have questions about feeding your child or feeding therapy with South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy, please get in touch. Follow us on Facebook for more speech, language and feeding tips and sign up for South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy’s newsletter if you would like new posts sent directly to your inbox.