Objectives/Agenda
Participant Expectations:
- Participant is currently treating clients for Feeding Therapy utilizing the SOS Approach to Feeding and has an ACTIVE feeding client who will agree to participate as a consistent case study throughout the time frame of the course (i.e. will commit to a minimum of 7 treatment sessions over the course’s scheduled dates).
- Participant is expected to attend all scheduled course meetings live on-line via Zoom Online. If a participant is unable to attend a scheduled course due to illness, family emergency, or unexpected life event, they are expected to notify the instructor in advance of the course to discuss making up the coarse material through independent review of the session and homework assignments prior to the next scheduled meeting of the course.
- During scheduled class meetings, participants are expected to actively participate in course discussion through the asking of questions, offering observations, discussing presenter’s therapeutic questions about the session, and creation of hypothesis.
- Participants are expected to complete weekly homework assignments including documentation of therapy sessions, 2 case study presentations, assigned readings, and assigned quizzes.
- Case Study Presentation 1 (40-60 minutes) Overview:
- Case Introduction: including brief clinical overview of presenting problem, child/family strengths, assessment of challenges, and relevant background information.
- Preparation for the Therapy Meal:discussion of sensory preparation activities and goals, Food Hierarchy selection related to child’s strengths and challenges, goals for the session, video clip set-up, and therapeutic questions after reflection of the session.
- Video Clip of Therapy Meal: Presentation of 15-20 minute video clip of a therapy session. Primary focus of the video should be on the therapeutic work with the foods in the Therapy Meal. Throughout the video there will be clinical reasoning discussion between the presenter, participants and moderator surrounding hypothesis creation, the presenter’s therapeutic questions, and the offering of constructive feedback.
- Case Study Presentation 2 (40-60 minutes) Overview:
- Brief Re-Introduction of Case & Progress Summary: Review of client’s presenting problems, strengths, and challenges; discuss gains made in therapy including where skills were consolidated at the start of therapy compared to now, the child’s ability to utilize coping strategies and Sensory Based Problem Solving, their biggest gains made in therapy to date, and areas of ongoing challenge that still need to be addressed.
- Parent Education: Discuss the method for completing parent education and training, the family’s ability to implement recommendation, and barriers to implementation and/or parent teaching.
- Preparation for the Therapy meal: Foods in Hierarchy presented; video clip set-up, and therapeutic questions for after reflection on the session.
- Video Clip of Therapy Meal: Presentation of 15-20 minute video clip of therapy session. Primary focus of the video should be on the work with the foods in the Therapy Meal. Throughout the video there will be clinical reasoning discussion between the presenter, participants and moderator surrounding hypothesis creation, the presenter’s therapeutic questions, and the offering of constructive feedback.
CLASS SCHEDULE AND TIME
- 8:00 pm – EST
- 7:00 pm – CST
- 6:00 pm – MST
- 5:00 pm – PST
Time Zone Requirement: Participants must reside in a location where the time zone is no later than an 11:00 pm course start time and no earlier than a 5:00 am course start time. Questions on whether you meet the time zone requirement? Contact us.
Are you interested in a Certification Course for a different time zone? Please contact us! We are actively working on organizing an SOS Certification Course for those professionals who need an alternative time to fit their schedule and meets the time zone guidelines. Simply let us know if you are interested, and we will follow up with further instructions.
SOS Certification Course Dates
- February 17
- February 24
- March 3
- March 10
- March 17
- March 24
- March 31
- April 7
- April 14
- April 21
- April 28
Pricing/Cancellations
SOS Certification Fees
- SOS Certification – $1250 total (includes $65 non-refundable application fee, down payment of $625 and a final payment of $560)
- Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of $65 is required when SOS Certification candidates submit their application. This fee covers the administrative review process by the SOS Professors when reviewing the application and video submission from the applicant. If accepted into the SOS Certification Program, the $65 application fee will be credited to the final course payment, which is due 5 weeks into the Certification Program.
- Applicants will receive an email upon submission of the application form with confirmation of the application submission and instructions for uploading the 10-15 minute video along with a Client Information Form.
- Applicants will be notified by email within 14 business days as to whether they are accepted into the SOS Certification Course.
- If the applicant does not meet the requirements and expectations for a SOS Certification Participant and their application is declined, recommendations will be sent by the SOS Professors on the specific steps the applicant will need to complete in order to qualify for participating in the SOS Certification Course. The application fee will not be refunded.
- Course down payment: Upon acceptance into the course, the accepted applicant will receive an invitation to register for the scheduled course. During the final registration process, a payment of $625 is required.
- Final payment: An final invoice of $560 will be emailed to the attendee, and is due upon receipt, 6 weeks after the start of the course.
Cancellation of Registration by Registrant – Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing to [email protected] no later than 45 days prior to the first session to receive a refund minus a $75 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations if the request is received less than 45 days prior to the first session. Transfers to future certification courses are not allowed.
Cancellation of the Event by Toomey & Associates, Inc.
Please be aware that Toomey & Associates, Inc. will present the SOS Certification Course despite one SOS Professor being ill. One SOS Professor can present in an emergency situation. If an SOS Professors are unavailable, a substitute SOS Professor will teach. If all SOS Professors are ill and no substitute are available, this would then constitute an SOS Professor cancellation by Toomey & Associates, Inc. of a single SOS Certification session.
In the case of the above session cancellation, a make-up session will be arranged between the Registrants/Attendees and the SOS Professors.
Speakers/Disclosures
SOS Certification Professors – SOS Professor to be determined from one or two of the following:
Susan Kniffen, MS, OTR/L received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Shenandoah University (VA). She spent the first two years of her career working with adults in acute care and rehabilitation settings before transferring to working in pediatric settings in 2005. Since 2006, she has been a feeding specialist in addition to working with children who have orthopedic, neurological, and complex medical needs. She is currently an occupational therapist and feeding specialist in the early intervention program for The Resource Exchange. Previously she provided pediatric outpatient feeding and rehabilitation services through Memorial Hospital, Toomey & Associates Inc., and Children’s Hospital Colorado. Educating and empowering parents to be students of their children is her passion.
Deborah Lagerborg, CCC-SLP received her Masters in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. During her graduate studies, she focused on feeding disorders and dysphagia in infants and children. Deborah currently works as a Pediatric Feeding Specialist and Speech Pathologist for Developmental Disabilities Resource Center. Prior to this position, Deborah worked at a Pediatric Feeding Specialist at SOS Feeding Solutions at STAR Institute. Deborah began her career in a pediatric outpatient hospital setting, working primarily with infants and children with feeding disorders. She also spent time working in the NICU as part of a multidisciplinary team, supporting premature infant development and early feeding experiences. Deborah’s passion is to work with the families, empowering parents to support their own child’s development and success.
Statement of Financial/Non-Financial Relationships for Toomey & Associates, Inc. Speakers
Susan Kniffen – Financial: Paid Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc., Non-Financial: No relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Deborah Lagerborg – Financial: Paid Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc., Non-Financial: No relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Other Toomey & Associates, Inc. Speakers
Dr. Kay Toomey is a Pediatric Psychologist who has worked with children who don’t eat for almost 30 years. She has developed the SOS Approach to Feeding as a family centered program for assessing and treating children with Feeding Problems. Dr. Toomey speaks nationally and internationally about her approach. She also acts as a consultant to Gerber Products. Dr. Toomey helped to form The Children’s Hospital – Denver’s Pediatric Oral Feeding Clinic, as well as the Rose Medical Center’s Pediatric Feeding Center. Dr. Toomey co-chaired the Pediatric Therapy Services Department at Rose Medical Center prior to entering private practice. Dr. Toomey is currently the President of Toomey & Associates, Inc., as well as the Clinical Director of SOS Feeding Solutions @ STAR (Sensory Therapy and Research Center with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller).
Lindsay Beckerman, MOT, OTR/L – received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Ohio State University. She currently works in a private practice with children, teens, and adults with feeding challenges in their home and community as well as Developmental FX, a non-profit clinic supporting children with a wide variety of developmental needs. Prior to this, she worked as a Pediatric Feeding Specialist at SOS Feeding Solutions at the STAR Institute with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. She specializes in feeding difficulties in atypical learners, including children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and multisensory processing difficulties. Lindsay has also worked as a member of a multidisciplinary team with Autism Spectrum Disorders, SPD, emotional/behavioral disorders and feeding problems. Lindsay has completed the STAR Institute’s Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Intensive Mentorship Programs and is a certified DIR Floortime Provider. Lindsay also serves as a board member for Charlotte’s Day, a non-profit group that helps to provide posturally supportive chairs to children in feeding therapy.
Kelly Fitzpatrick, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC received her Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Memphis. She currently works as a Pediatric Specialist and Speech Pathologist for Rocky Mountain Human Services. She specializes in feeding difficulties in children 0-5 years old and those who are G-tube dependent. Prior to her position with RMHS, Kelly acted as the Assistant Clinical Director of SOS Feeding Solutions at the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. Kelly began her career in a pediatric outpatient hospital setting using the SOS Approach to Feeding program. Kelly has also completed the STAR Institute’s Intensive Mentorship Program and is a certified DIR Floortime Provider.
Susan Kniffen, MS, OTR/L received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Shenandoah University (VA). She spent the first two years of her career working with adults in acute care and rehabilitation settings before transferring to working in pediatric settings in 2005. Since 2006, she has been a feeding specialist in addition to working with children who have orthopedic, neurological, and complex medical needs. She is currently an occupational therapist and feeding specialist in the early intervention program for The Resource Exchange. Previously she provided pediatric outpatient feeding and rehabilitation services through Memorial Hospital, Toomey & Associates Inc., and Children’s Hospital Colorado. Educating and empowering parents to be students of their children is her passion.
Statement of Financial/Non-Financial Relationships for Toomey & Associates, Inc. Speakers
Dr. Kay A. Toomey – Financial:Paid Consultant for Nestec, a division of Nestle (Gerber Child Advocate/Developmental Panel member);Owner Toomey & Associates, Inc. and the SOS Approach to Feeding program; Non-Financial: Founding Medical Professional Council Member with Feeding Matters – PFD Alliance Committee Member (unpaid).
Lindsay Beckerman – Financial: Paid Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc.; Non-Financial: Unpaid Board Member for Charlotte’s Day.
Kelly Fitzpatrick – Financial: Paid Speaker for Toomey & Associates, Inc., Non-Financial: No relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Attendance & Policies
The SOS Approach to Feeding Mentorship Course is a participatory program in which each student is expected to engage with the SOS Professors and other students through class discussions, videotaped sessions, written work and a test. Participants are expected to comply with each point below in this Policy in order to meet all of the Course requirements to pass Mentorship and to receive a Certificate of Attendance and Continuing Education Hours (if applicable).
Registration Requirements:
Due to the level of class participation required for this Course, it is important that students are taking this class during the day when they are awake and alert. By signing up for this course and signing this agreement, you are testifying that you are not taking this course during the hours of 12am – 5am in your time zone.
If English is not the participant’s native language, fluency in the English language is required for registration. You will need to be able to participate in class discussions in English, to submit homework assignments in English, to provide a script in English of Videotape assignments (or closed captioning), and to take a final examination in English.
Course Requirements:
To meet the goals of the Mentorship program and to receive full credit to pass this Course, participants are expected to:
- Attend every scheduled class session
- Be on time to each class and remain for the full duration of each class period
- Actively engage in class discussions about their own clinical work and that of other students
- Complete all written homework assignments by the deadline for that project
- Videotape themselves providing SOS Therapy and edit their session videos for SOS Professor review based on the homework assigned
- Pass a final examination at the end of the Course.
Tardiness, Leaving Class Early and/or Missing a Class: Attendance and tardiness will be noted by the SOS professor on the class roster each week. Students are expected to notify the lead SOS Professor for that Mentorship Course = Deborah Lagerborg OR Kelly Fitzpatrick ([email protected] or [email protected]), as soon as they are aware of a possible attendance issue. Ideally, students will be able to notify their SOS Professors PRIOR to any tardiness/attendance issue.
- Students who are more than 15 minutes late to a class and/or those who miss a full class will be required to watch the recording of that class and to submit both reflective notes and questions to their designated SOS Professor prior to the next scheduled Mentorship class.
- Students who are tardy or leave early more than twice will meet with their SOS Professor to create a written plan for on-time participation. Students who are unable to comply with their plan will be asked to withdraw from the Course or to transfer to a different Mentorship session.
There is a maximum of two missed Mentorship classes allowed. Students who miss two classes will meet with their SOS Professor to discuss whether the student will be remaining in the Course, withdrawing from the Course completely, or if the student will be transferring to a different Mentorship Course session.
Incomplete/missing Homework and/or lack of Student participation:
Students who do not correctly complete a Homework assignment or who do not contribute to Class discussions more than twice will meet with their designated SOS Professor to create a written plan for completion of Course requirements. Students who are unable to comply with their plan will be asked to withdraw from the Course or to transfer to a different Mentorship session.
Complaint Policy & Procedures
Toomey & Associates, Inc. views complaints as an opportunity to learn and improve future programs and resources, as well as a chance to put things right for the person or organization that has made the complaint. Please read the full Complaint Policy and Resolution Procedures.
Continuing Education
This course will focus on the treatment SOS Approach to Feeding and will not discuss other similar or related treatments. Not available for partial credit.
** Note: Upon full completion of the SOS Certification, participants must complete a course evaluation form.

Toomey & Associates is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID #11556. This live activity is offered at 1.65 CEUs, advanced level, Evaluation, Intervention and Activity and Occupational Demands. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
** Note: Upon full completion of the SOS Certification, participants must complete a course evaluation form.
Other Associations
Please contact your association to inquire as to whether this course will meet the requirements for continuing education credits. Upon request, we are happy to provide any additional information for submission to your association.
Accommodations
Non-Applicable
ADA Requests
Toomey & Associates, Inc. complies with ADA provisions. If you require special accommodations or need assistance, please contact Toomey & Associates at least two weeks in advance of the conference at [email protected].