SOS Approach to Feeding

Abstract

The Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding (The SOS Approach) is a transdisciplinary program designed to assess and address the reasons why a child is struggling to eat. Assessment occurs across seven different areas of human function involved in the process of learning to eat: organs, muscles, sensory, learning, development, nutrition, and environment. The SOS Approach uses a whole child perspective, integrating sensory, motor, oral-motor, behavioral/learning, medical, and nutritional factors for both assessment and intervention, resulting in strategies to comprehensively evaluate and manage children with feeding/growth problems. Success is determined by (a) intrinsically motivated and sustained interest in trying new foods, (b) enjoyment in and appropriate skills for eating and drinking a wide range of age-appropriate foods and fluids; (c) consumption of sufficient calories for optimal growth along a child's own percentile line on a growth curve, and (d) improved family understanding and functionin...