Trauma-Informed Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Therapy
1.5 Hours, 0.15 ASHA & AOTA CEUs
Available: November 6, 2026 – November 6, 2031
Presented by Cheryl Pelletier M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC, CPFT™
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This advanced course looks at emotional and physical trauma as a barrier to developing effective pediatric feeding and swallowing treatment plans and home programs. Across three recorded modules, Cheryl Pelletier lays the groundwork with trauma-informed definitions, psychosocial terminology, and current research on the stress response, food rejection, and ARFID. She then walks through practical tools and interview strategies for identifying trauma in the child and the family system, including what to ask when a family is not making progress, how to avoid the “doorknob comment,” and how to simplify goals so therapy is achievable. The course closes with case studies drawn from her own caseload, covering dental and medical trauma, home invasion, bullying, physical injury, force-feeding, physical abuse, and misdiagnosis, along with treatment ideas, an onboarding checklist, referral language, and resources for working in tandem with mental health professionals.
Prerequisite: This is an advanced-level course. Participants should have prior training and clinical experience in pediatric feeding and swallowing evaluation and treatment.
MEET OUR PRESENTER:
Cheryl Pelletier M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC, CPFT™
Cheryl Pelletier has been an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist since 1987 and a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) since 2008. She has 39 years of experience working with infants, children, and developmentally delayed adults with feeding and swallowing disorders in home-based and outpatient clinic settings. She has been honored to be a leader on a feeding-swallowing team and to co-treat with registered dietitians, PTs, and OTs. Cheryl has presented at numerous staff education events in Greece, Puerto Rico, and Southeastern Massachusetts, and at ASHA annual conventions. She is a member of the Feed The Peds® and CPFT™ online instructor and mentor program, and owns a private practice on Cape Cod, MA called Gnosh, Inc that provides dysphagia homecare services for infants, children, and adults with neurodiverse development, center education, and mentorship.
TIME ORDERED AGENDA & LEARNING OBJECTIVES
0–16 minutes (16 minutes): Module 1 – The Groundwork: trauma-informed definitions, psychosocial terminology, types of trauma (acute, chronic, complex), common traumatic triggers and symptoms, and current research on the stress response, food rejection, and ARFID
16–30 minutes (14 minutes): Module 2 – Tools and Strategies for Identifying Trauma: habilitation vs. rehabilitation, clinician self-assessment, questions for families who are not making progress, the “doorknob comment,” standardized screening tools, simplified goal-setting, and the circle of support
30–94 minutes (64 minutes): Module 3 – Case Studies, Treatment Considerations, Referrals, and Resources: eight de-identified cases (dental trauma, medical trauma, home invasion, physical abuse, physical injury, bullying, force-feeding, misdiagnosis), treatment ideas including comfort scales, symbolic play, social stories, and animal-assisted intervention, onboarding checklists, referral language, and referral sources
Total: approximately 94 minutes. 1.5 contact hours = 0.15 ASHA CEUs / 0.15 AOTA CEUs.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate acute, chronic, and complex trauma and explain how each can present as a barrier to feeding skill development and food acceptance in children.
- Analyze current research on the relationship between emotional and physical trauma, sensory processing, and pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders.
- Apply functional assessment tools and interview strategies to identify trauma in the child and family system as a potential psychosocial barrier to feeding skill development and effective food intake.
- Select appropriate referral sources and treatment modifications to support children with a history of trauma in tandem with a feeding and swallowing treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have access to this recording?
Recording Available: November 6, 2026- November 6, 2031
Format and instructional methods:
Distance Learning – Independent. This is a prerecorded, self-paced online course delivered through the Kajabi learning portal. Instructional methods include video lecture with slides, a recorded interview with a licensed clinical social worker, de-identified case studies, downloadable handouts and resource lists, and a post-course quiz. Approximately 94 minutes of instruction.
How do I obtain continuing education credit/Satisfactory completion:
For continuing education credit, the course must be completed in its entirety. Upon completion of the recorded course, a survey and quiz is sent electronically via Kajabi and email. You must complete the survey and quiz by clicking submit in order to be submitted to the ASHA CE registry and a certificate of completion. A score of 80% or higher on the quiz is required to pass. The certificate of completion will be available for immediate download following submission of your ASHA or AOTA CEU survey form. This must be completed within 7 days of completing the course.
Who is this for?
This registration page is for licensed SLPs and OTs looking to advance their pediatric feeding and swallowing knowledge. This is an advanced-level course and assumes prior training and clinical experience in pediatric feeding and swallowing evaluation and treatment.
Refund policy:
There are no refunds for any materials already provided. The full course is available upon purchase and therefore is the reason why there is a no refund policy. This is a one-time payment. At the time of purchase you will be paid in full for this course. Therefore, cancellations do not apply.
NOTE: If assessment and treatment of Pediatric Feeding Disorders are NOT in your scope of practice/covered under your licensure, you will be refunded less credit card fees and a $25 processing fee.
Provider cancellation policy:
In the unlikely event that Elevation Movement, LLC withdraws or discontinues this course before you have completed it, you will be notified by email and refunded in full.
Who can I contact with questions, concerns or complaints?
For any questions, please reach out to support@feedthepeds.com
When taking online courses, Elevation Movement LLC students are encouraged, at all times, to communicate their concerns and/or complaints to course creators and/or the administrative team by emailing support@feedthepeds.com. A more detailed policy can be provided upon request.
Presenter Information and Disclosures
Cheryl Pelletier M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC, CPFT™
Cheryl Pelletier has been an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist since 1987 and a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) since 2008. She has 39 years of experience working with infants, children, and developmentally delayed adults with feeding and swallowing disorders in home-based and outpatient clinic settings. She has been honored to be a leader on a feeding-swallowing team and to co-treat with registered dietitians, PTs, and OTs. Cheryl has presented at numerous staff education events in Greece, Puerto Rico, and Southeastern Massachusetts, and at ASHA annual conventions. She is a member of the Feed The Peds® and CPFT™ online instructor and mentor program, and owns a private practice on Cape Cod, MA called Gnosh, Inc that provides dysphagia homecare services for infants, children, and adults with neurodiverse development, center education, and mentorship.
Financial Disclosure: Cheryl receives compensation from Elevation Movement, LLC for presenting for Feed The Peds® and CPFT™. Owner of Gnosh, Inc private practice.
Non-Financial Disclosure: ASHA Member; ASHA Special Interest Group 13, Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia); Feeding Matters member.
This course is offered for 0.15 ASHA CEUs (Advanced Level, Professional Area).
AOTA CEUs are available for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 AOTA CEUs). Advanced level. OT Service Delivery; Foundational Knowledge.
Elevation Movement, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# [PENDING]. This Distance Learning – Independent activity is offered at 0.15 CEUs, Advanced, OT Service Delivery; Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
Please note if any accommodations are needed to access the learning experience or resource materials, please email support@feedthepeds.com to discuss further.