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