Feeding Issues of Special Needs Children
Typically, children with special needs may face unique challenges in developing a positive relationship with food. For example, a child with autism spectrum disorder may have a significant negative reaction to specific textures, flavors, or colors. That is always the case since numerous medical issues, such as food allergies and the effects of specific medications, to name a few, frequently have an impact on the child's feeding. As a result, adequate nutrition for such children demands the synchronization of sucking, ingesting, and gasping, and they must first be capable of being in a stable feeding point and have the right appetite for feeding. The paper, hence, addresses the feeding issues of special needs child, how to go about it, and the solutions to the challenges.
Signs of Feeding Difficulties in Special Needs Children
The special needs children may show various signs to indicate that they have a feeding difficulty. First and foremost, they always experience choking or even gagging while eating, followed by extreme spitting up of ingested food or vomiting. Furthermore, such infants often become exhausted or exceptionally perspiring while nourishing, require quite a long time to eat, and only manage smaller portions of food. They also do not indicate being hungry, always suffering from respiratory issues or recurring pneumonia, and their growths are often retarded. When the signs above manifest in a special needs' child, the parents must seek the help of a healthcare provider as fast as possible to evaluate the kid's usual diet, eating behaviors, the health state, and the growth outline. In case of any concern, the next stop should be the specialized provider, for instance, the feeding therapist, nutritionist, or the gastroenterologist (My Child without Limits.org, p 2).
Challenges in Feeding Special Needs Children
The special needs children may develop different feeding challenges such as refusing to eat the offered food which might challenge the parents. In such an occurrence, the parents should always include the foodstuffs that the kid can typically take within the meal plan. When the child just prefers a few foodstuffs, the family members should be the role models of the nutritional investigation, and they should assist the children in choosing the foods. At times the meal times of such children may lack structure, and the best solution is to set the kid's meals and snacks other than just grazing throughout the day (My Child without Limits.org, p 4).
Common Nourishing and Gastro Concerns in Special Needs Children
Different nourishing and gastro concerns may develop in a child with special needs. One of such issues is dysphagia, an ingestion disorder and an indication found in some neurological complications. It ranges from the overall failure to swallow, coughing, or even choking, and some infants might not have the capability to start the ingestion reflex. Sometimes the food can get pulled into the windpipe allowing for the inhalation of liquids thus causing aspiration and consequently pneumonia. The treatments of the disorder are inclusive of the muscle exercises for improved coordination, utilization of thickeners, and the placement of a feeding tube for the individuals who cannot feed or drink. There is also gastroesophageal reflux which makes the infants cry continuously, not to eat, and even have a poor sleep. The management of the disorder is a combination of changes in diet and positioning (Children with Special Needs, p 2).
Tips for Feeding a Child with Special Needs
Before providing food to a child with special needs, there should be a quiet atmosphere without a television but maybe just soft music, and both the hands and the face of the child should be clean before the meal. Also, the parents should make sure that they use the right equipment when feeding the special needs child such as the suitably sized spoon and even plates. Finally, they must choose their foods wisely to enable the kids to eat appropriately and get a balanced diet (Golisano Children's Hospital, p 1).
Works Cited
Children with Special Needs. “Feeding Issues.” Children with Special Needs, 23 Sept. 2013, www.childrenwithspecialneeds.com/disability-info/feeding-issues/.
Gosilano Children’s Hospital. “Feeding a Child with Special Needs – Pediatric Nutrition – Golisano Children’s Hospital – University of Rochester Medical Center.” Welcome to URMC – Rochester, NY – University of Rochester Medical Center, 2017, www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/nutrition/special-needs.aspx.
My Child without Limits.org. “Feeding Your Child with Special Needs.” My Child without Limits, 2017, www.mychildwithoutlimits.org/plan/feeding-and-nutrition/feeding-your-special-needs-child/.
