Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of the sequential oral sensory (SOS) approach in children with feeding dysfunction. This study had a retrospective repeated-measures within-subject design. Each child served as his or her own control, and there was no target behavior. The existing records of 34 children who received feeding intervention were reviewed; 56% of the children were male and 44% female. Ages ranged from 30 to 92 months. Diagnoses included autism spectrum disorder (38%), cerebral palsy (12%), neurological impairment (38%), and unspecified (12%). Results indicate there was no statistically significant difference in outcomes related to age (p = .487), no significant relationship between diagnosis and the indication of a positive trend (p = .116), and that gender (male) is significantly related to a positive trend. The data suggest the SOS program is beneficial for children with neurological impairment who demonstrate a consistent response to intervention. They also suggest that children with little to no drink difficulties may demonstrate readiness for progression to the next level of development.
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