04/02/2026
The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding is an evidence-informed feeding therapy program designed to help children who have feeding difficulties, picky eating, food refusal, or sensory-based feeding challenges.
It was developed by Dr. Kay Toomey, a pediatric psychologist.
⸻
What the SOS Approach Is
The SOS Approach focuses on helping children feel safe, comfortable, and confident around food by addressing sensory, motor, oral, behavioral, emotional, and nutritional factors—not just eating itself.
Instead of forcing a child to eat, SOS breaks eating down into small, achievable steps and respects the child’s readiness.
⸻
Core Principle: “Steps to Eating”
Children progress through a hierarchy of interaction with food:
1. Tolerates – Food is in the room
2. Interacts – Helps prepare or play with food
3. Smells – Brings food close to the nose
4. Touches – Touches with fingers or utensil
5. Tastes – Licks, nibbles, or bites
6. Eats – Chews and swallows
A child may move forward or backward through steps—and that’s okay.
⸻
Who Benefits from SOS Feeding
Commonly used with children who have:
• Picky eating
• Sensory processing differences
• Autism, ADHD
• Feeding aversion or oral defensiveness
• Failure to thrive (non-medical causes)
• History of tube feeding
⸻
How SOS Therapy Is Done
• Play-based and child-led
• Uses systematic desensitization
• Emphasizes family meals and modeling
• Works on posture, oral-motor skills, and sensory regulation
• Conducted by trained occupational therapists or speech-language pathologists
⸻
Key Goals of SOS
• Reduce anxiety around food
• Increase food variety
• Improve oral-motor and sensory tolerance
• Build positive mealtime experiences
• Support long-term healthy eating habits
Important Note
SOS is not appropriate alone when there are medical or structural feeding issues (e.g., aspiration, anatomical abnormalities). These must be addressed first.
Book an SOS slot in Cavite branch. Inquire now. :)
