Cerebral PalsyPediatric Feeding
Amy Simeone Introduction to Occupational Therapy
January 2015
Some background about me
Graduated with my BS in Healthcare Administration from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut
My first job was at Gaylord Hospital, a not for profit rehab hospital. I started as a secretary in the Industrial Rehab program making $12.02/hr.
Met my future husband at the copy machine at work!
Worked my way up through the system to, Outpatient Department Business Coordinator then moving to I.T. and ending my 7 years at the hospital at a senior level in the Information Systems department.
About me …
Moved to Florida! Business Manager for a for-profit
outpatient rehab clinic in Naples. Gave up my career in 2003 to be a stay at
home mom Welcomed to children: Nicholas (now 11)
Alexandra (now 9) During my 9 years at home with my kids
dad diagnosed with primary brain tumor. I was his secondary care giver.
More about me…
After watching the therapy my dad received, I felt the need to have a “hands on” approach with people
Soon after his passing, I was offered position as a Helping Teacher in a Lee County Public Schools in a self contained Functional Skills classroom
LOVE MY JOB! NO $$$....
OTA SCHOOL!!!
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a broad term that is used to describe several neurological disorders that can occur during pregnancy, at birth or shortly after birth.
CP is caused by an injury or insult to a fetus or infant’s brain.
CP is a non-curable life long condition CP damage does not worsen over time
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Some causes of CP are: › Injury to the brain› Illness› Inflammation of the brain› Abnormal brain development› Severe jaundice› CVA› Anoxia
What does CP look like?Clinical presentation of CP varies from person to person.
Affects of Cerebral Palsy
CP can affect a persons:› Body movements› Muscle control› Muscle coordination› Muscle tone› Reflex› Balance› Posture
Famous People with CP
Cerebral Palsy facts:
CP is the most common of childhood disabilities.
CP affects two to three of every 1000 children.
How CP affects a child’s motor functioning and intellectual ability is dependent on the severity, nature and location of the brain injury.
Affects of Cerebral Palsy
CP can affect all or part of the body:› Monoplegia: affecting one limb (usually
arm)› Diplegia: primarily affecting the lower
extremities› Hemiplegia: affecting the upper and lower
extremities on one side of the body› Quadriplegia: affecting bilateral upper and
bilateral lower extremities, sometimes including the trunk
Affects of Cerebral Palsy
Affects of Cerebral Palsy
CP is also classified by the quality of motor movement:› Spastic: high tone characterized by tight rigid
muscles› Athetoid: fluctuating muscle tone and writhing
movements› Ataxic: characterized by lack of coordination
with intentional movements› Hypotonic: low tone, loose muscles and lax
joints› Mixed: a combination of two or more of above
Common O.T. Interventions for Cerebral Palsy
Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s)
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL’s)
Leisure Accommodations and
Modifications Support for the
development of muscle strength and motor function
Support for the development of motor, communication and interaction skills
Tone management Assistive technology
and adaptive equipment
Family coaching and training
Support for the development of self determination skills
Support for the development of pre-vocational skills
Feeding Concerns for Children with CP
Many children with CP have eating and drinking difficulties. These can range from minor difficulties in coordination of oral movements to severe coordination difficulties of the swallowing mechanism, which could cause health concerns and even life threatening conditions
There could sensory issues associated with CP such as oral tactile defensiveness, or the opposite where they may under react to food in their mouth
Addressing Feeding Concerns in Children with CP
Proper seating and positioning which improves postural control can improve feeding and swallowing
Making sure food is prepared to a proper consistency
Constantly assessing oral motor function and modifying feeding intervention as needed
Riley
Feeding Preparatory Tools
Riley’s Feeding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92PoLJTAbUQ
CP Awareness