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Feeding Disorders are common among children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) - it has been found that 90% of children with CP have feeding difficulties (Reilly, 1996). Often, these children do not have full control of their lips, tongue, and jaw. Posture may also be an issue. You may see that food falls out of your child's mouth while they are eating, or that they drool easily.
See the link below for additional information.
In serious cases, a feeding tube may be necessary for a child to take in proper nutrition. Feeding tubes are not permanent - the procedure is reversible. With proper care and training, a child may learn to eat on their own. Even if this is not possible for a child, most parents and caregivers are satisfied with the tube feeding procedure and feel that it has a positive impact on the lives of their child and family (Smith, 1999).
See the link below for additional information.
In some cases, an intraoral appliance, such as a retainer, allows for improvement in feeding skills due to jaw stabilization (Haberfellner, 2001). In other cases, a child with CP may be able to imitate proper eating gestures (Gisel, 2000). These findings give hope for the possibility of independent feeing skills.
As a parent, it may be difficult to see your child having difficulty feeding, gaining proper nutrition, or losing the pleasure of eating. Here are a few tips for you to use when dealing with feeding issues with your child:
- consult with you doctor or a certified Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) to determine a plan for feeding
- eat with your child; make it a family event - do not exclude your child from the family environment
- use your hand to support the jaw during chewing
- be sure your child is properly positioned (sitting upright if possible)
- help your child to enjoy the eating experience - have picnics, sing songs, and include him or her in family dining
On this site you will find links to helpful information about CP and feeding disorders, as well as books on both topics. References are provided at the bottom of the page.
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