Kimberly Holt, OTD OTR/L; Kalyn Moeller, MS OTR/L
Children and Youth | Audience Level: Introductory
This session provides practical, evidence-based strategies to support children with sensory-based feeding differences during family mealtimes. Learners will use food chaining to build gradual transitions from preferred to non-preferred foods, encouraging success and dietary expansion while respecting sensory needs. Participants will identify modifiable environmental factors—such as seating, lighting, noise, and food presentation—and examine how these influence regulation and engagement. The session also reviews research on sensory-based interventions to inform clinical reasoning and intervention planning. Additionally, learners will explore how family routines, consistency, and caregiver expectations shape positive feeding experiences, integrating hands-on practice, environmental adjustments, and family-centered approaches to support meaningful, sustainable mealtime success.