FEEDING

It has been awhile since I have blogged on sensory issues. I have some great information on feeding skills and therapy so I wanted to share.

EXAMPLES OF FEEDING SKILLS AS THEY TRANSLATE TO SOUND PRODUCTION

Feeding Skills/Sounds

-lip closure maintained during breast or bottle feeding (m, n)

-sucking - opening and closing the oral cavity (p, b)

-elevated tounge tip during sucking (t, d)

-graded jaw movement in anticipation of a spoon or to
bite a cookie (glides - w, l, r)(fricatives - f, v, s, z)

-elevation of the posterior of the tounge for swallowing (k, g)

-active cheek movement during chewing and sucking (directed airflow)

-spreading of the tounge during swallowing (r)

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THERAPY

Symptoms and Techniques to Try

Pocketing

Verbal/tactiles cues

Change food temperature

Change in consistency

Delayed or Ineffective Formation of the Bolus

Changes in temp, presentation or amount and consistency

Verbal/tactile cues

Altering taste

Clamping of Jaw

Tactile cues

Desensitization

Use sipper cup if suckle reflex is present

Delayed Swallowing Reflex

Change in temp

Verbal/tactile cues

Altering food/liquid presentation

Risk of Aspiration

Alter diet consistency

Eliminate syringe

Use sipper cup

Proper positioning

Alter amount and pacing

Decrease Oral Intake

Present snack size meals (6x daily)

Alternate sweet to tray foods

Eliminate distractions

Verbal cues

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FOODS THAT ENCOURAGE CHEWING

BEGINNING STAGE

-Cubes of hard cheese such as cheddar, monteray jack or american

-Cubes of white meat

-Partially cooked carrots, potatoes, green beans

-Grilled cheese

-French toast

-Firm omelets

-Waffles

-Crunchy cereals

-Fresh bannanas

SECOND STAGE - As strength comes in

-Cubes of harder foods such as hot dogs, poached chicken and bologna

-Cold meatloaf (cubed)

-Firm, solid meatballs

-French fries

-Chicken nuggets

-Ravioli

-Ziti noodles

-Toast

-Goldfish

-Fresh fruit such as pears and peaches

-Firmly cooked veggies

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I hope this has helped some of you. I know it has helped me and Caleb. He is still not chewing his food completely, but day by day we are getting there.