Join Therapy Abroad for a unique continuing education and travel experience in Lisbon, Portugal, focused on pediatric feeding and eating assessment and intervention. This 6-day program combines a 3-day, in-person CEU course led by internationally recognized pediatric feeding expert Dr. Kate Barlow with rich cultural immersion and guided travel experiences throughout Portugal.

Designed for Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, and students in related fields, this program provides participants with evidence-based instruction on assessing and treating pediatric feeding challenges in children ages 6 months to 8 years, including oral motor and sensory processing dysfunction. Participants will earn 10 contact hours (1.0 CEUs) through interactive lectures, case studies, and applied learning.

Beyond the classroom, participants will experience Portugal’s history, culture, and cuisine through guided walking tours, community visits, live Fado music, and a full-day excursion to Sintra’s palaces and coastal landscapes. The program intentionally balances professional development with cultural exploration, offering opportunities for reflection, connection, and meaningful travel.

Whether you are a clinician seeking to expand your pediatric feeding expertise, a faculty member looking to enrich professional practice, or a student preparing for clinical work, this program offers a thoughtfully curated blend of clinical learning, global perspective, and travel.

This program is designed for:

• Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTs and OTAs): Earn CEUs while expanding your expertise in pediatric feeding and eating, including assessments and interventions.

• University Faculty: Enhance teaching, research, and mentoring through international experience. Faculty discounts are available when registering alongside graduate students.

• Graduate Students: Build professional confidence and gain new specialties from a leading expert in the field before entering the workforce.

• Friends, Family, and Guests: All are welcome to join the cultural immersion and excursions, even if they are not earning CEUs.

• Children and Teens: Youth are welcome to travel with family members and may participate in age-appropriate excursions and cultural activities.

Kate Barlow, OTR, OTD, IECMH-E®, FAOTA, FNAP

Owner of Pediatrics International, Therapy Services, LLC.

Founder of OT ECHO

Dr. Kate Barlow was described as an “internationally renowned feeding expert” by Feeding Matters in 2021. She has over 25 years in clinical practice, including birth to three, hospital-based outpatient, school systems and private practice. In addition to her private practice, Kate is the Founding Program Director for the Master’s OT Bridge Program at St. Catherine University.

In the area of pediatric feeding, Kate has presented her research on pediatric feeding for Feeding Matters, the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, AOTA, the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association and more. By Invitation, she has also presented twice for Therapro® on oral motor strategies for intervention. Kate also worked for the CDC Act Early Ambassador program from 2019-2024 to promote early identification of delays.

For volunteer work, Kate founded the International Interprofessional Mentorship Program, called “OT ECHO” that provides free monthly mentorship to therapists around the world. She received the 2022 Innovation Award from the American National Board for Occupational Therapy Certification for this work. The program has over 1,000 members from more than 75 countries. Kate was added to the National Academies of Practice Roster of Fellows in 2025 for her International Interprofesisonal research and advocacy and the AOTA Roster of Fellows in 2024 for International Pediatric Leadership. Other awards include the Excellence in Teaching Award (2022), the AOTA Service Commendation Award (2022; 2024, 2026) and The Boston University Alumni Award (2023).

Participants will receive 10 contact hours, equivalent to 1.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

This PD activity is provided as a co-sponsorship event with Aspire OT, an AOTA Approved Sponsor.  

info@AspireOT.us 

www.AspireOTed.com 

Aspire OT is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development and 

an AOTA APP Approved Sponsor.

Co-sponsor PD activity approval ID# 12685. This live workshop is offered at 1.0 CEUs, Introductory educational level, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge. 

The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course 

content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• Identify key pediatric feeding and eating milestones and integrate appropriate screening for feeding concerns into clinical practice

• Recognize signs and symptoms of aspiration, reflux, and dysphagia in infants and young children

• Select and apply evidence-based assessments and interventions for pediatric feeding challenges related to both sensory processing and oral motor dysfunction in children ages 6 months to 8 years

• Conduct effective screening and parent interviews to support accurate assessment and intervention planning

• Implement treatment strategies for oral motor skill dysfunction and sensory-based feeding challenges

• Integrate clinical learning with global and cross-cultural perspectives, enhancing professional practice through international experience

Become a Global Practitioner:
Earn CEUs while studying abroad and experience the rewards of learning in a culturally rich, immersive environment—developing a broader global perspective that enhances both clinical practice and professional growth.

Participants will strengthen:

• Pediatric Feeding Assessment Skills: Strengthen the ability to assess feeding and eating challenges in young children, including sensory processing and oral motor skill dysfunction.

• Clinical Application in Diverse Contexts: Apply evidence-based pediatric feeding strategies across a variety of settings, adapting approaches to meet the needs of children and families in different cultural and environmental contexts.

• Caregiver Communication & Interviewing Skills: Enhance skills in parent and caregiver interviews to support accurate screening, goal setting, and collaborative intervention planning.

• Reflective Practice & Professional Growth: Engage in reflective learning that integrates clinical coursework, travel experiences, and cultural immersion to support ongoing professional development.

• Design and Implement Interventions: Build confidence in developing and adapting individualized, developmentally appropriate feeding intervention plans using a range of strategies, tools, and materials to support children ages 6 months to 8 years and their families.

Lisbon, Portugal provides an ideal setting for combining professional learning with cultural immersion. As one of Europe’s oldest cities, Lisbon offers a rich intersection of history, family-centered culture, and evolving healthcare and educational systems that shape pediatric practice. Participants will explore how cultural values, caregiving traditions, and social contexts influence child development and feeding practices.

Participants will engage in:

• Community-based and culturally immersive experiences, including guided walking tours and opportunities to observe daily life within local neighborhoods and family-centered settings.

• Cultural excursions such as a live Fado music performance and a full-day visit to Sintra, featuring historic palaces, coastal landscapes, and opportunities to explore local cafés and markets.

• Structured reflection and discussion connecting cultural experiences with clinical coursework, encouraging participants to consider how global perspectives can inform pediatric feeding assessment, caregiver communication, and intervention planning.

Participants and guests will stay at Hotel Borges, a centrally located hotel in the heart of Chiado, one of Lisbon’s most vibrant and historic neighborhoods. Surrounded by cafés, bookstores, shops, and cultural landmarks, the hotel offers an ideal base for exploring the city while remaining close to program activities.

Hotel Borges features comfortable, air-conditioned rooms with modern amenities and easy access to Lisbon’s historic streets, public transportation, and iconic viewpoints. Its central location allows participants to immerse themselves in daily life in Lisbon, with many restaurants, cafés, and cultural attractions just steps from the hotel.

Accommodations include:

• Daily breakfast

• Wi-Fi access

• Onsite reception and guest services

Educational sessions and program activities will take place at designated program venues nearby, allowing participants to balance focused learning with the flexibility to explore the city during free time.

Participants may choose from shared or private room options. Family members or guests are welcome to join and may select shared or private accommodations, with the option to participate in group meals, activities, and excursions as outlined in the program.

Whether enjoying a morning coffee in Chiado, strolling along the Tagus River, or exploring Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods after a day of coursework, Hotel Borges offers a comfortable, convenient, and culturally rich home base for the program experience.

To secure your spot at the 2026 Portugal Conference, a $500 deposit is required at the time of registration. Space is limited, and accommodations are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis once payment is received.

After submitting your deposit, you’ll receive a confirmation email and invoice outlining your selected package and remaining balance. Flexible payment plans are available, allowing you to spread your balance over multiple installments leading up to final payment.

Payment Deadlines:

• Deposit Due: (Transferable but Non-Refundable)

• First Payment: July 21, 2026

• Balance Due: September 15, 2026

All payments can be made online by credit card or ACH transfer through our secure registration portal. Credit card transactions incur a standard 3% processing fee, while ACH payments have no additional charge.

Please note that pricing includes all lodging, scheduled meals, local transportation, group activities, and educations sessions. Airfare and personal expenses are not included.

For questions about invoices, receipts, or alternate payment arrangements, please contact us.

And if you’re worried about payments, we’ve got options to help:

• Use our new built-in Contribution Page feature—just like GoFundMe, but directly linked to your program's fee balance! So each time someone donates, you automatically owe less on your next payment.

• Bring a friend and share a room!

• To save on extra processing fees, we recommend making your payment by ACH (direct bank transfer).

• Need more flexibility? We can help customize a payment plan that works for you—just ask!

Flights are not included in the program fee.

• Participants should plan to arrive at Lisbon Airport (LIS) on October 21, 2026 before 3:00 PM.

Airpot Shuttle

• The hotel can accommodate airport shuttle service; however, because participants will be arriving and departing at different times, participants will be asked to coordinate transportation independently. Additional information will be provided following registration.

Meals

• Participants should plan to purchase some meals that are not included

If you choose to cancel, we will hold onto your initial deposit for you to use on a future Therapy Abroad trip. This deposit is not transferable to another person. Refund percentages not including the non-refundable deposit:

• 100% refund for cancellations made 90+ days before departure.

• 75% refund for cancellations made 90–60 days before departure.

• 50% refund for cancellations made 59-30 days before departure.

• 0% refund for cancellations made within 30 days of departure.

Safety is our top priority, and we take a hands-on approach to ensure every aspect of your experience is secure. Every location, accommodation, and activity is personally vetted by Therapy Abroad directors. Costa Rica is a safe destination with strong infrastructure, and we work closely with our teams in-country to manage every detail of your trip. From departure to return, we provide a seamless, worry-free experience. You’ll always be part of a group led by experienced facilitators—never outsourced staff. Our team ensures access to medical care, clean food and water, and reliable communication at all times.

Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal* and transfer to your hotel, where you’ll have time to settle in and rest after travel. The program will begin with a welcome orientation session, covering cultural expectations, the CEU schedule, and learning goals for the week. The group will then head out for a welcome dinner with Therapy Abroad staff, faculty, participants, and guests. An optional evening stroll through the Chiado districts offers a relaxed introduction to local life.

Lisbon’s historic districts provide an immediate cultural context, helping participants ground their clinical learning within the social, cultural, and community environment of the city from the very start of the program.

*Many airlines from the U.S. offer overnight flights with early morning arrivals. If you prefer to access your room prior to the 2:00 PM check-in, you will have the option to add an additional night at checkout.*

Day 2 focuses on foundational knowledge in pediatric feeding and swallowing, combining structured coursework with cultural engagement. The morning begins with registration and an introduction to the prevalence and clinical significance of Pediatric Feeding Disorder. Participants will then explore the four phases of the swallow and the Occupational Therapist’s role within each phase, followed by an in-depth review of the signs and symptoms of aspiration and reflux. The session concludes with a discussion of typical feeding development from birth to age three, including chewing, drinking, and self-feeding skills, before a brief wrap-up and reflection.

In the afternoon, participants will take part in a food tour, to experience the amazing local cuisine and learn about Portuguese history and culture along the way.

Day 3 continues the pediatric feeding coursework with a focus on screening, assessment, and intervention. The morning begins with registration, followed by instruction on effective screening and parent interview techniques to support accurate clinical decision-making. Participants will then explore IDDSI transitional foods and their role in feeding assessment and intervention. The session concludes with an in-depth review of assessment and treatment strategies for sensory processing dysfunction, followed by time for questions and wrap-up.

In the afternoon we will have a community visit, providing an opportunity to connect clinical learning with real-world context and deepen understanding of local culture and daily life in Lisbon.

In the afternoon, participants will visit a local community organization. The evening concludes with a live performance of Fado music, providing a meaningful cultural experience and an opportunity to reflect on the day’s learning within a uniquely Portuguese tradition.

Day 4 concludes the CEU coursework with a focus on oral motor skill assessment and intervention. The morning begins with registration, followed by in-depth instruction on assessment techniques for oral motor skill dysfunction. Participants will then explore treatment interventions for oral motor challenges, emphasizing practical strategies that can be applied across pediatric settings. The session concludes with a skills assessment and course wrap-up, allowing participants to consolidate learning and reflect on key takeaways.

The afternoon is reserved for free exploration, providing time to relax, explore Lisbon independently, or enjoy local cafés, museums, and neighborhoods at your own pace.

Today features a full-day cultural excursion to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its fairy-tale palaces, lush forests, and dramatic landscapes. The day begins with a morning transfer from Lisbon and a brief orientation introducing Sintra’s history and cultural significance.

Participants will first visit Pena Palace, Sintra’s most iconic landmark—a colorful 19th-century palace perched high above the town, offering sweeping views of the surrounding hills and Atlantic coastline. The excursion continues to the Moorish Castle, a medieval fortress dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries, where participants can walk along historic stone ramparts and take in panoramic views over Sintra and beyond.

Midday includes lunch at a local café or restaurant in historic Sintra, followed by free time to explore artisan shops, pastry cafés, small gardens, or local museums. In the afternoon, the group will visit Quinta da Regaleira, renowned for its symbolic architecture and enchanting gardens. Highlights include the Initiation Well, underground tunnels, fountains, towers, and hidden pathways that blend mythology, landscape design, and history.

If time permits, the day may conclude with a short coastal stop at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, featuring dramatic cliffs, ocean views, and a brief scenic walk.

The evening concludes with a farewell dinner, where participants will enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine and reflect on the shared experiences of the program.

From our past experience, we’ve learned that the only way to make a great trip even better is to not let it end. We encourage you to consider adding a few extra days to explore more of beautiful Portugal or nearby countries!

Otherwise, today is reserved for your return travel home.