In this presentation, attendees can expect to gain an understanding of common challenges and barriers to self feeding for children with visual impairments. We will review tools and adaptations for children with visual impairments to access and participate in mealtime routines and develop self feeding skills. The presentation will also briefly review oral tactile sensory components which may impact self feeding development for children, as well as provide a variety of foundational strategies that can support self feeding from the sensory perspective.
Presenters
Molly Bennett, MS, OTR/L
Molly Bennett, MS, OTR/L
Molly has practiced as a pediatric occupational therapist for seven years, spending time in settings such as early intervention, pediatric outpatient clinic, and adaptive equine assisted therapy with children aged 0-3. She has worked in the Lower School program at Perkins for the past four years, serving a population with diverse medical diagnoses and visual impairments, aged 7-15. Molly is certified in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, and has experience working with students who are picky eaters or have other feeding related needs due to neuromuscular and oral tactile sensitivities. At Perkins, she works closely within her students’ teams to support self feeding development and participation in mealtime routines.
Tova Teperow, MS OTR/L
Tova Teperow, MS OTR/L
Tova is a registered, licensed occupational therapist at Perkins School for the Blind. She is currently working with students in Lower School with vision impairment and multiple disabilities. Before coming to Perkins, Tova worked for four years as a home visiting occupational therapist for early intervention. Tova has extensive experience in treating children with oral and tactile sensitivity, low muscle tone, and “picky eaters.” Every day she is helping students develop their self-feeding skills, often building independence through the use of adaptive feeding equipment.
