The Handouts section contains educational content, in printer friendly PDF format, on a wide variety of topics of interest to our community. If you're looking for content on a specific topic and don't find it here, please contact us.

WATCH Session Evaluation-Issues and Challenges for Children with Feeding Tubes	Date: 10/28/2008
This WATCH Session, entitled Challenges for Children with Feeding Tubes, was held on October 15, 2008. The sesison was led by Lynne Farber MSN, CPNP-AC, PC and Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Staff from the Raleigh CDSA, the Tammy Lynn Center, Pediatric Therapy Associates, Hilltop Home for Children, and Wake Med attended the session. 100% of the participants were comfortable attending the videoconference session and stated the session provided them with new knowledge. Participants saved a combined total of 36 hours in travel time and over $1107 in travel dollars by attending this session via videoconference. [HANDOUT]
WATCH Feeding Inservice Evaluation Results	Date: 11/30/2006
On November 16th, the WATCH Project hosted a Feeding Inservice, facilitated by Sue Powell and Cindy Whildon, both OTR/Ls at Easter Seals/UCP-Children's Therapy Services. The session was provided via multipoint video conference to three WATCH sites (the Raleigh CDSA, Hilltop Home for Children, and Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities). Thrity participants attended from 5 different programs. The results from this well attended and very informational session are available via the link below. [HANDOUT]
WATCH Case Study- Prader Willi Syndrome	Date: 06/26/2006
This handout provides information about Prader Willi Syndrome and resources for people interested in learning more about this disability. [HANDOUT]
Tube Feeding Schedules	Date: 06/01/2002
Children with special needs sometimes receive formulas and other food through a tube in their stomach (a gastrostomy or "g-tube). This handout will list the advantages and disadvantages of different ways g-tube feedings are scheduled. [HANDOUT]
Total Parenteral Nutrition	Date: 04/30/2003
This handout will explain what TPN is, when it is used and some of the potential complications that can occur from the use of TPN [HANDOUT]
Tests to Evaluate Swallowing Function	Date: 06/01/2002
This handout describes tests that evaluate how well and how safely a child swallows liquids and solid food. Your speech therapist will help decide which is the best test for your child. [HANDOUT]
Tests for Evaluating Gastroesophageal Reflux	Date: 12/01/2002
This handout will introduce you to tests used to evaluate gastroesophageal reflux. Your doctor will help you decide which tests to perform on your child. [HANDOUT]
Special Textures for Special Children	Date: 06/01/2002
Often, certain diet textures are prescribed to help a child with special needs eat more safely and easily. This handout will help distinguish between some of the different diet textures provided and will provide some guidance on how to prepare these foods. [HANDOUT]
Pump up the Iron!	Date: 07/31/2003
This TelAbility handout will outline some high-iron foods and ways these foods become better absorbed in the body. [HANDOUT]
Picky Eaters	Date: 10/02/2002
Picky eating habits can often turn what should be a pleasant time into a battleground. Picky eating habits can be especially stressful for parents of children who have disabilities, as many children can be underweight for their height or have medical issues that affect how easily they can eat. This TelAbility handout will provide some suggestions on how to manage this challenging issue. [HANDOUT]
Pediatric Formula Update	Date: 06/01/2002
The pediatric formula industry is continually creating and marketing new pediatric formulas to either supplement a child’s diet or provide 100% of a child’s nutrition if they cannot eat by mouth. This can be very confusing for parents (and health care providers!) to decide which one is best suited for your child. This TelAbility handout will outline the different formulas available for children ages one and above, instances where you would use them and what characteristics make each of them unique. [HANDOUT]
Pediatric Feeding Therapy: Using a Medical, Motor & Behavior Approach	Date: 07/18/2007
This powerpoint presentation provides an overview of pediatric feeding therapy approaches, therapeutic techniques, and answers to questions posed by WATCH Members. [HANDOUT]
Pass the Calories!	Date: 06/01/2002
Getting children to eat enough calories and protein can be a real challenge for parents. Eating well can be especially hard for children who have disabilities. Here are some ideas to help boost calories and protein without giving little tummies too much to handle! [HANDOUT]
Obtaining a Healthy Weight in the Child with Special Needs	Date: 06/01/2002
Many children with special needs are at risk for weight problems, and these carry their own set of challenges for parents, health professionals, and the child. There are often many resources available for helping the child with special needs who is underweight. What about the other end of the spectrum? This handout will discuss why this population is also at risk for being overweight/obese and some suggestions to combat the issue. [HANDOUT]
Nutritional Considerations for Children with Down Syndrome	Date: 06/01/2002
This handout will highlight some of the nutrition issues that can occur in children who have Down Syndrome and offer suggestions to manage these issues. [HANDOUT]
How to Use the Haberman Feeder	Date: 06/01/2004
This handout explains the benifits of the Haberman Feeder, who to use it with and where to order it. [HANDOUT]
How to Use the Cleft Palate Nurser by the Pigeon Company	Date: 07/01/2004
This handout explains the benifits of the cleft palate nurser (Pigeon Company), who to use it with and where to order it. [HANDOUT]
Gastroesophageal Reflux Treatment	Date: 05/01/2003
This handout covers various treatment options used with gastroesophageal reflux. [HANDOUT]
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)	Date: 08/01/2002
GER or Reflux is the medical term used to describe a condition in which stomach contents (food and gastric acid) frequently flow back up out of the stomach or "regurgitate" into the esophagus. The food that comes up may or may not flow all the way out of the mouth. It may be forceful vomiting which empties the stomach, or it can be more like a "wet burp." [HANDOUT]
Food Allergies	Date: 12/01/2003
Explanantion of foodallergies, evaluation and treatment [HANDOUT]
Feeding: Typical Development	Date: 06/01/2002
This handout summarizes the typical development of feeding in the first 30 months of life... [HANDOUT]
Feeding Young Children with Special Needs	Date: 06/01/2002
Children with cerebral palsy or similar diagnoses often have difficulty participating in mealtime routines, both socially and physically. They often depend on an adult caregiver to participate in the meal with them by preparing and setting up their food, feeding them, or helping them eat. Despite this, it is important for both the child and the adult to be able to enjoy mealtimes as much as possible, since food and mealtimes in many cultures are important times for social interaction with family and friends, celebration, etc.... [HANDOUT]
Feeding Therapy	Date: 04/29/2011
Expand children's diets, food textures, etc., and case studys and strategies [HANDOUT]
Facts On Fiber	Date: 06/30/2003
This TelAbility handout will provide guidelines for how much fiber children should consume each day and offer suggestions on how to increase fiber in the diet. [HANDOUT]
Encouraging Fruits and Vegetables	Date: 03/01/2004
This TelAbility handout will provide parents with ideas on how to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their child's diets on a regular basis. [HANDOUT]
Drooling	Date: 06/01/2002
[HANDOUT]
Constipation	Date: 06/01/2002
This handout provides information to help you manage constipation in a child with disabilities... [HANDOUT]
Complementary and Alternative Nutrition	Date: 11/02/2002
This TelAbility handout outlines questions you should ask when considering their use. Frustrated by the lack of improvement they want to see from conventional medicines and/or worried about their side effects, as many as 60-70% of families who have children with special health care needs try nutritional supplements as an alternative or additional approach. Others may have heard of a supplement that offers a “cure” for their child’s condition and are eager to try it. But how can you make an informed decision about whether or not a treatment or product is useful, and most of all, safe? [HANDOUT]
Calorie Count Form	Date: 03/01/2004
This telability handout will provide you with some guidelines on how to correctly complete a calorie count as well as the calorie count form itself. [HANDOUT]
Bone up on Calcium	Date: 12/30/2002
This Telability handout will discuss why calcium is such an important mineral for children with special needs, and will list some better sources of calcium in the diet. [HANDOUT]
Adaptive Feeding Equipment	Date: 06/01/2002
Adapted feeding equipment or tools are used to assist children with feeding problems and to increase independence as well as to promote normalization. These tools include cups, plates, and utensils. Adaptive feeding equipment should facilitate the child eating in as typical a manner as possible at home, in school or community. Also, adaptations should be made based on the needs of the individual child. [HANDOUT]