Thinking Outside the Fridge: Supporting Families in Early Intervention

Early Intervention Feeding: Coaching Families to Success

Speaker: April Anderson, MA, CCC-SLP, IBCLC

Course Description

In Washington, DC providers are expected to implement the early childhood coaching model as described by Rush and Sheldon (2011). The key concepts of this model focus on growing the capacity of the caregivers through a “coach” and “coachee” dynamic that allows caregivers to more effectively carryover therapy strategies in the child’s natural environment. In feeding therapy in particular, success is seen when families demonstrate confidence, commitment to the goals, and are able to implement strategies across the week. This can reduce the amount of time a child may spend receiving early intervention services. Using this model, providers are able to create a joint plan with strategies to practice between sessions, observe and give feedback on strategies, and offer reflection and problem solving solutions with caregivers. A child eats or drinks several times throughout the day and an ideal mealtime may not fall during the scheduled therapy time. Supporting families through the early childhood coaching model ensures that children are targeting therapy goals across meals.

Learning Outcomes

The participant will be able to: 

1. Define the "Coaching" Feeding Therapy Model
2. Apply 3 coaching strategies
3. Develop a caregiver-therapist coaching plan

Timed Agenda

• 15 min -- What is the Coaching Model
• 15 min -- How to Integrate the Coaching Model
• 15 min -- Case Studies
• 15 min-- Developing a Caregiver-Therapist Coaching Plan

Content Disclosure: This presentation will focus on treatment methods related to the use of TalkTools® resources. Other similar treatment approaches will receive limited or no coverage during this lecture.

 (pending AOTA approval)

See TalkTools ASHA CEU Policy and Process for more information)

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