LIVE IN PERSON

The Get Permission Approach to Anxious Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes

September 25-26, 2026
8:00am-4:30pm

Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, M. Ed. FAOTA 

with featured instructors Karen Dilfer, OTR/L and Bre Robison, OTR/L 

 

Early Bird Discount $499
Ends 8/1/2026

Sign Up Now & Save Your Seat

Group discount available!
Contact us for a discount: [email protected]

Course Description

This LIVE IN PERSON version of the popular Get Permission Approach to Anxious Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes features participant interaction and explores evidence-supported responsive feeding principles for individuals who demonstrate caution and worry with food.

We'll examine eaters traditionally called "picky" and the influences on their food choices—how they feel, their neurobiological and sensory differences, unique neurodiverse learning styles, environments, presentations, and previous food experiences. You'll discover how new feeding research and brain science are reshaping our approach to this population, why we're moving away from the term "picky," and how lived experience informs better individual and family support.

These children typically have narrow diets and worry about changes in food presentation. Our approach is built on trust in the feeding relationship. Adults determine the offers and direction in therapy, but the child determines the pace. The child knows how they're feeling—our role is to empathize and understand what they're communicating in the moment.

We'll shift our thinking from compliance to emotional and sensory safety; from external to internal motivation; from doing TO children to doing WITH children; from directing eating to offering appropriate, graded opportunities. At its core, this approach supports both child and parent success.

Through lecture, case videos, and participant interaction, you'll leave with MANY practical treatment ideas to support children and families through a compassionate lens.

Objectives

By the end of this workshop participants will be able to:

  • Identify and describe “anxious eaters” within a framework of PFD and ARFID and how they influence entire families.

  • Define the major principles of the Get Permission Approach© to pediatric feeding.

  • List ways to empower the family and the child in the feeding partnership.

  • Describe how stress, pressure, worry and safety influence feeding through evidence and a neurobiology lens.

  • List the multiple ways the sensory systems influence enjoyment, safety, and mealtime participation.

  • Describe how to cluster information gained in evaluations to support creation of treatment strategies that allow child and parent to be successful.

  • Describe strategies to help promote enjoyment, confidence , autonomy and internal motivation at mealtimes.

  • Define Mealtime Peace, Rehearsals, The Pivot through a Get Permission lens.

  • List five ways to support new food trying and S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-S through a responsive lens.

  • Describe the importance of implementing neurodiversity affirming and trauma informed approaches to treatment.

Live In Person

September 25-26, 2026
8:00am-4:30pm

We look forward to seeing you in person! Our course will be hosted at Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland, conveniently located at 231 Najoles Rd #100, Millersville, MD 21108 (see map below). A detailed agenda along with food and beverage offerings will be announced closer to the course date. Hotel recommendations are listed below in the FAQ section. We can't wait to learn and connect with you!

FAQ

  • What are the perks of attending live in person?

    Enjoy live interaction with the speakers, real-time Q&A, and collaborative problem-solving throughout the session.

  • I've previously taken the Anxious Eaters with Marsha. Should I attend?

    Participants who completed this course prior to 2016 are encouraged to retake it, as the evidence-supported framework has undergone substantial updates and the approach continues to evolve in response to emerging research.

  • Do you have hotel recommendations for my stay?

    -Aloft Arundel Mills BWI Airport ~ 13 minute drive
    -The Hotel at Arundel Preserve ~ 14 minute drive
    -Holiday Inn Express and Suites Annapolis - 18 minutes
    -The Graduate Hotel by Hilton Annapolis - 23 minutes

CEU Info

Certificates will be issued verifying participation in 17 hours of continuing education once full attendance has been verified. Certificates will be distributed upon completion of the live in person course. Check with your professional organizations licensing bodies to determine exactly what may be accepted for you. This course is eligible for ASHA’s professional development hour requirements. You will not require ASHA pre-approval for this. See here [https://www.asha.org/certification/FactDef/] for more information. This course is eligible for AOTA credits. Please check your state’s guidelines for specific information about this continuing education activity may apply to your state’s CEU guidelines.

Audience

This intermediate level course is appropriate for OTs, SLPs, PTs, assistants, educators, early intervention providers, parents/caregivers, and other professionals (social workers, nurses, registered dieticians, etc.) working with children with feeding challenges. Please contact us at [email protected]  with any needs regarding accommodations. 


Instructor Bios

Founder and Senior Instructor Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MED, FAOTA

Marsha is a pediatric occupational therapist who has specialized in pediatric feeding for more than 50 years. She has co-authored Pre-Feeding Skills, First Edition, Pre-Feeding Skills: Second Edition, Mealtime Participation Guide, and Homemade Blended Formula with Suzanne Evans Morris, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. She co-authored Feeding and Nutrition for the Child with Special Needs with Tracy Delaney. Her newest book is Anxious Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes: Practical and Compassionate Strategies for Mealtime Peace. Marsha presents nationally and internationally. She is a food celebrator and is passionate about supporting children and their families.

Founder and Senior Instructor Karen Dilfer, MS, OTR/L

Karen Dilfer is an occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and food enthusiast. She has a strong pediatric background and loves to help children with motor, sensory, and mealtime challenges. A Chicago native, Karen enjoys discovering new restaurants and cooking with friends and family. She is a founding member of the Chicago Feeding Group, a non profit organization that seeks to support parents and professions who work with children who struggle to eat. Karen was recently featured in the Chicago Tribune. Karen has a bachelor of science degree from Calvin College and a master’s of science degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She is Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) trained and has also completed post-graduate education in Sensory Integration. Karen trained under Marsha Dunn Klein at Mealtime Connections, LLC, in Tucson, Arizona. Karen is a contributing member to the Get Permission team and regularly teaches Get Permission workshops and webinars. She maintains a private practice and actively treats children with feeding challenges. You can learn more about her work here: www.eatwithkaren.com.

Instructor & Community Engagement Bre Robison, OTR/L, M.S.

Bre is an occupational therapist who loves feeding and loves children! She received her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Arizona and then worked in the public school systems for two years as a special education aid, while providing respite and habilitation to children with special needs. She went on to complete her Masters in Occupational Therapy at A.T. Still University in Phoenix. After graduation, Bre completed the Marsha Dunn Klein Feeding Fellowship Program. Since then she has continued working at a local pediatric outpatient clinic utilizing the Get Permission Approach as well as working as part of The Get Permission Team by assisting with marketing and administration. Bre resides in Tucson, AZ with her husband and three children.

Sign Up Now & Save Your Seat

Group discount available!
Contact us for a discount: [email protected]

Cancellations

Cancellations must be in writing and will incur a $50 fee. We are unable to give refunds after August 1, 2026. If the Get Permission Institute or speaker should need to cancel, course fees will be refunded or transferred to another course at the discretion of the participant.