Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach - Definition & Explanation for Mothers

Table of Contents

Definition

The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach is a therapeutic method used in pediatrics to address problematic feeding behaviors. It is a non-invasive approach that focuses on increasing a child’s comfort level by exploring and learning about different food properties like texture, smell, taste, and consistency. This approach helps children to interact with food in a playful, non-stressful way, gradually progressing from tolerating the food, to interacting with it, and eventually consuming it.

Key Takeaways

The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach is a comprehensive program used primarily to address problematic feeding behaviors and eating difficulties in children. This approach integrates sensory, motor, oral, behavioral, medical, and nutritional factors and considers their impact on children’s overall feeding and growth.
SOS Approach believes in the philosophy that eating is something learned over time and should not be rushed. This method encourages a steady progression based on comfort level and works towards increasing children’s tolerance to various textures and types of food, ultimately aiming to improve their feeding habits and nutritional health.
This approach highly emphasizes the role of collaboration and participation of the family during the intervention. It is believed that a supportive and informed family can significantly influence the progress and success of the intervention. It also enhances successful transition from clinic setting to actual mealtime settings at home.

Importance

The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach is a key term in motherhood because it plays a fundamental role in tackling feeding challenges in children.

It is a therapeutic strategy largely employed by professionals to address problematic feeding behaviors.

The technique approaches feeding through a child’s senses – touch, aroma, taste, and also incorporates motor, oral and behavioral skills.

The SOS approach helps to understand and respect a child’s feeding patterns, assists in broadening a child’s diet significantly, and relieves feeding stress for both the child and the parents.

Thus, it’s an impactful tool for mothers to facilitate healthier and stress-free eating habits in children.

Explanation

The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach serves a significant purpose in the world of pediatric feeding and nutrients. Essentially, this multi-disciplinary method is designed to address problematic feeding behaviors in children, often including those with special needs, developmental delays, or sensory processing disorders.

The approach is useful not only for enhancing children’s interaction with food from a sensory perspective but also to make them more comfortable, confident, and autonomous eaters. The SOS Approach is implemented strategically, focusing on the various aspects that influence a child’s eating habits-these include the sensory, motor, behavioral or psychological, nutritional, and environmental factors.

In practice, this may mean gradual exposure to different food textures, temperatures, tastes, smells, and colors, a process which aims to reduce food aversions or restrictive eating. By fostering a non-stressful, positive dining experience, the SOS Approach seeks to broaden children’s dietary range and help develop healthy eating patterns that will serve them well into adulthood.

Examples of Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach

The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach is a therapeutic method used primarily for children with feeding difficulties. It integrates sensory, motor, oral, behavioral, medical and nutritional factors and considers the “whole child”. Here are three real world examples:

**Case of a Picky Eater**: A young child, for instance, refuses to eat anything other than a very limited range of foods, mostly of a certain texture and color. A therapist working with the child using the SOS Approach would introduce more varied foods slowly, in a playful, non-stressful manner. They might start by encouraging the child to play with the new food, then perhaps smell it, gradually moving towards tasting and eventually eating the food. This process is aimed at reducing anxiety around new foods and widening the child’s diet.

**Children with Autism**: Some children with autism have extreme sensitivities to texture, smell, temperature and taste, which can make eating a variety of foods difficult. An SOS Approach would work with these sensitivities rather than against them, initially introducing foods that suit the child’s existing preferences, then slowly introducing small variations to expand their comfort zone.

**Premature Babies**: Premature babies often have underdeveloped swallowing and sucking reflexes, and may also have spent much of their early lives experiencing discomfort or pain in relation to feeding. Using the SOS Approach, therapists would work on building positive experiences around eating and drinking, introducing different textures and tastes very gradually, closely monitoring the baby’s reactions and adjusting the approach as needed.

FAQ: Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach

What is the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach?

The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach is a therapeutic method used to address problematic feeding behaviors in children. It is an interdisciplinary approach that integrates posture, sensation, motor, behavioral/learning, medical and nutritional factors to comprehensively evaluate and manage children with feeding/growth problems.

Who can benefit from the SOS approach?

SOS Approach is useful for children with feeding difficulties, including but not limited to, refusal to eat certain food groups, textures, etc, difficulty transitioning to solid food, or limited food intake. It is also effective in children with diagnosed conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorders or Down Syndrome that influences food habits.

How is the approach carried out in therapy sessions?

The SOS approach uses a series of steps to encourage the child to interact with, touch, and eventually taste and eat the food. It can be carried out by trained therapists and includes education for parents or caregivers.

What should parents keep in mind while implementing the SOS approach at home?

Patience and persistence are key with the SOS approach. Additionally, you should aim to make the experience as positive and stress-free as possible. Parents should consult with a trained professional to ensure they are carrying out the techniques correctly.

Are there any side effects to the SOS approach?

There are generally no side effects to the SOS approach. It is, however, crucial to carry out the method under supervision if you have never done it before. The process should be enjoyable and comfortable for the child.