This course examines the clinical distinction between oral aversion and oral skill-based feeding deficits in pediatric feeding therapy. Participants will explore how behavioral responses, sensory processing, oral-motor function, medical history, and feeding experiences contribute to a child’s presentation during mealtimes. Emphasis is placed on assessment-driven decision-making to accurately identify the primary contributors to feeding difficulty. 

Participants will learn to analyze feeding behaviors, stress cues, and skill performance to differentiate avoidance related to negative feeding experiences from true oral-motor or oral sensory skill limitations.