Author: D. Field, M Garland, and K Williams
Source: Journal of Pediatric Child Health (2003) 39, 299-304.
Studies have shown that up to 80% of children with developmental disabilities have feeding problems. The authors of this study looked at 349 children (ages 1 month- 12 years) who were referred to an interdisciplinary feeding clinic for evaluation of feeding problems. The authors hypothesized that many feeding problems result from the effects of medical conditions or developmental problems of the child or caregiver. Their goal was to look at predisposing factors and to determine whether certain factors were more often associated with certain feeding problems.
Feeding problems were classified into 5 groups: food refusal, selectivity by texture, selectivity by type, oral motor delays, and dysphagia (swallowing problems). The authors found that certain feeding problems were more often associated with some conditions than others.
64% of children in the study had developmental disabilities
the most common traits among children with autism were selectivity by type, texture and constipation
children with Downs syndrome often presented with selectivity by texture and had oral motor difficulties
Gastroesophageal reflux was the factor most often associated with food refusal
Children with cerebral palsy had more oral motor problems
The authors stated that many feeding problems are the result of learned aversions and that children with more severe medical and developmental conditions will have more severe feeding problems because of their exposure to aversive feeding experiences.
|
