Your study level

We've preselected "All levels" for you, but you can change your study level at any time by choosing one of the options on this menu. Changing your study level will return you to the beginning of the module.

Close
A complex skill
A teacher helps to feed a boy

Eating and drinking is a highly complex, multi-system skill involving anatomic stability, neuromuscular control and co-ordination, sensory perception, gastrointestinal function, cardio-respiratory support and integration from the autonomic nervous system.


Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, 2006>

Helping someone with eating difficulties to eat can be complex and stressful and it is essential that staff are given sufficient support from colleagues when this is challenging.


The Scottish Government / APS Scotland, 2011

Interventions

Interventions aim towards:

  • Safe maximisation of the child’s eating and drinking potential, using appropriate strategies that promote safe and adequate nutritional intake within a setting which supports and enhances the child/young person’s well-being.
  • Supporting the child and significant others in choosing between a number of feeding options and strategies where oral feeding will not be possible.
  • Supporting parents/significant others in the process of making mealtimes pleasurable.
  • Identification and management of risks to the child as a result of dysphagia.

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, 2006

Issues around eating

Dysphagia…includes difficulties with positioning food in the mouth and in oral movements, including sucking, chewing and swallowing.


Royal College of Speech and Language
Therapists, 2006

Children and young people with dysphagia (or ‘swallowing disorder’) are very vulnerable to inappropriate types of food and drink being offered, as well as to these being offered in an inappropriate way.

Other issues around eating are:

  • Anatomical problems which cause difficulty or discomfort in eating.
  • Gastro-oesphageal reflux.
  • Medication side-effects.
  • Sensory difficulties and sensitivities.

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, 2006

Management of eating difficulties

[Improper management of eating difficulties] may result in the need for interventions such as prolonged alternative or supplementary feeding, medication or physiotherapy.


Royal College of Speech and Language
Therapists, 2006

If eating difficulties are not properly managed, children and young people are at increased risk of:

  • Aspiration (breathing in food or drink).
  • Respiratory infection.
  • Choking.
  • Poor nutrition and weight loss.
  • Poor health.
  • Hospital admission due to respiratory illness (eg pneumonia).
  • Anxiety and distress within the family.
  • Reduced quality of life.
Monitoring and developing feeding skills

Taking the time and effort to help a person to develop these skills can sometimes also help them in other ways, such as language development, greater awareness of position and movements and hand-eye co-ordination.

Scope, 2010

 

  • Poster Image

Some of the issues associated with feeding are covered in this audio clip of a group discussion.

Training needs
A teacher holds a boy’s feeding tube

Staff development needs around food can be broad and may include:

  • Good practice in supporting pupils with EDS needs.
  • Selective eating.
  • Practical food awareness.
  • Food hygiene and safety.
  • Nutrition and diet, including the signs and consequences of poor nutrition, and children who are overweight.
  • Food presentation.
  • Eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties and their effects on nutrition and safety.
  • A practical session of food preparation and texture modification.
  • Non-oral feeding.
  • Communication systems…[to support] children and young people more effectively.

 

The Scottish Government/APS Group Scotland, 2011

 

Useful support skills
A carer helps to feed a girl

Those supporting children and young people with their EDS may usefully learn, with the support of the school nurse, to:

  • Identify people with dysphagia.
  • Identify changes in individuals they care for.
  • Know when to make a referral to a speech and language therapist.

 

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, 2006

Find out more
book

Scope provide a range of different factsheets and publications around EDS difficulties, including:


Eating and meal times: A guide to eating issues for people with cerebral palsy and those that care for them

Food Talks: Practical tips to include children with eating difficulties


Drooling and cerebral palsy
Find out more
book
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (2006) Communicating Quality 3: RCSLT’s guidance on best practice in service organisation and provision (3rd edn). London: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

The Scottish Government/APS Group Scotland (2011) Healthy Eating in Schools: Supplementary guidance on diet and nutrition for children and young people with additional support needs. Edinburgh: The Scottish Government.