Beyond Picky Eating: Sensory-Based Feeding Interventions

Course overview

Feeding is one of the most complex sensory experiences of childhood, and picky eating is often just the tip of the iceberg. In this 2-hour, view-on-demand, recorded webinar, pediatric occupational therapists explore how sensory processing, regulation, and retained primitive reflexes impact mealtime participation and food acceptance. The presenter connects theory to practice with concrete, play-based strategies you can use to move children from avoidance to exploration in a child-led, pressure-free way. Participants will walk away with new strategies to implement into their pediatric feeding sessions. At the end of this course, you will be able to (1) list three ways sensory processing, regulation, and interoception influence a child's feeding behaviors and mealtime participation, (2) identify three key components of a comprehensive feeding history, including sensory, developmental, and environmental factors that impact eating, (3) state three sensory-based intervention strategies to support children with feeding challenges in a child-led, positive mealtime framework, and (4) list three treatment activities that do not involve real food that will provide a positive feeding experience to improve success with feeding in the home environment. This distance-learning, independent format is offered at 0.2 CEUs, Introductory Level, OT Service Delivery, and targeted to introductory- to intermediate-level occupational therapy practitioners, SLPs, parents, and other pediatric professionals. The course instructor, Jessica Hill, COTA/L, CPRCS, has worked in pediatric outpatient clinics for over 11 years. Her experience includes working with children aged birth to 21 years, with early intervention holding a special place in her heart. She has completed extensive training on primitive reflex integration, child development, feeding, ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and sensory integration. Jessica created a variety of digital products while employed with Harkla from 2021 to 2025, including The All Things Sensory weekly podcast; Harkla YouTube weekly videos; monthly blog posts; and comprehensive digital courses on primitive reflex integration, sensory diets, focus and behavior in the classroom, and infant/toddler development. For more information on our recorded courses, visit our website: https://www.sensationalbrain.com/ceu/on-demand-webinars. To stay abreast of our latest live and view-on-demand course offerings, sales, and FREEBIES, consider subscribing to our newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of our home page. Send questions to celeste@sensationalbrain.com.