Eating and Drinking Skills

Disclaimer: This information sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

Feeding skills can be affected by a brain injury. This may caused by problems with swallowing, and should be assessed by a Speech Pathologist. Problems may also be caused by physical or cognitive limitations of the child/young person. Meal times are important social times for children when they interact with their siblings and peers.

Knowledge of the child/young person's feeding abilities and developmental level prior to the brain injury is necessary so that appropriate tasks and expectations can be incorporated into the treatment program.

What are the symptoms?

Any choking, gagging, or reflux or swallowing by the child needs to be urgently reviewed by the speech pathologist and doctor.

Other problems include:

• Inability to sit up with good posture to eat a meal due to balance or motor control problems.
• Difficulties with arm/hand movements may result in an inability to use feeding utensils, difficulty opening lunch boxes, opening drink bottles and unwrapping food.
• Excessive mess.

Who should I ask for help?

• Speech pathologist and doctor if there are choking, gagging, or reflux or swallowing concerns
• Occupational therapy assessment if the difficulty is related to a physical issue (poor seating posture, problems with arm/hand movements)
• Doctor and Dietician if there are concerns about the child/young person's level of nutrition

What is the treatment?

• Medical intervention, medication or food with modified textures
• May include seating and positioning for the child with significant physical disability
• May include adaptive equipment such as built up handles on cutlery, plate guards, Dycem matting or special cups.
• Compensatory strategies such as careful choice of lunch box and drink bottle, wrapping sandwiches with grease proof paper, choosing foods that are easier to manage.
• Upper limb therapy to improve reach, strength, grip and motor control
• Practice and repetition, or other special training techniques.

Rehabilitation Department The Children's Hospital at Westmead Cnr Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth St, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145 Tel: (02) 9845 2132 - Fax: (02) 9845 0685 http://www.chw.edu.au/rehabilitation/