EXFRM 2711 - Infant Eating, Feeding and Swallowing
Course Description
This course is an introduction to infant eating, feeding, and swallowing in the first year of life. Clinicians will learn about the impact of preterm birth and medical conditions on the development of eating, feeding, swallowing, and behavioural organization.
Clinicians will have opportunities for clinical application of theoretical content. For example, they will develop a plan for assessing oral feeding and swallowing skills for the infant from birth through one year and for therapeutic interventions used to support the development of eating, feeding and swallowing skills within a nurturing feeding relationship.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed for Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physicians, Nurses, Dieticians and healthcare professionals in other related fields.
Learning Objectives
By the end the course, students will be able to:
- 🗸 Discuss the major milestones in the development of body systems involved in feeding and the impact of preterm birth.
- 🗸 Identify infant behaviours and what they communicate.
- 🗸 Explain how to provide responsive interventions for positive feeding experiences.
- 🗸 Understand the development of oral motor and feeding skills in infants born prematurely, neonates, and at various stages from birth through 12 months.
- 🗸 Describe common conditions across body systems and their impact on eating, feeding, and swallowing in the developing infant.
- 🗸 Discuss the foundational skills for infant feeding.
- 🗸 Clinically evaluate infant eating, feeding, and swallowing skills.
- 🗸 Discuss supportive strategies to optimize feeding for infants at risk.
- 🗸 Discuss strategies supporting families to recognize their infants’ cues, build reciprocal interactions, and establish positive feeding relationships.
- 🗸 Apply theory learning to practical case study examples.
Notes
- 🗸A digital badge will be issued upon course completion. After the grade is posted, learners will receive an email from MyCreds with instructions on how to access their badge.
- 🗸For additional course info please visit uab.ca/pd.