Pediatric Feeding Disorders and Severe Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Children with severe developmental disabilities face numerous challenges to function and participate in activities of daily life. One of the most significant challenges to accomplishing this goal is that of oral feeding disorders. Indeed, it is estimated that among children with developmental disabilities, up to 80 to 90% present with some level of feeding disorders. In addition, it has been shown that as the level of severity of intellectual disability increases, so does the severity of the oral feeding disorders. Due to the broad range of etiologies that result in developmental disabilities, types of feeding disorders in the population vary greatly. This article is designed to provide information regarding assessment and intervention approaches currently used in this area and to provide an overview of the evidence available to support these approaches. Suggestions for much needed future clinically relevant and immediately transferable research are included.

Keywords

Pediatric feeding disorders - developmental disabilities - dysphagia

• References

• 1 Record C Public Law 106–402. Vol. 146 Oct. 30, 2000:114 STAT 1683
• 2 Ptomey LT, Wittenbrook W. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: nutrition services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and special health care needs. J Acad Nutr Diet 2015; 115 (4) 593-608
• 3 Rezaei M, Rashedi V, Gharib M, Lofti G. Prevalance of feeding problems in children with intellectual disability. Iran Rehabil J 2011; 9: 56-59
• 4 Reilly S, Skuse D, Poblete X. Prevalence of feeding problems and oral motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy: a community survey. J Pediatr 1996; 129 (6) 877-882
• 5 Lefton-Greif MA, Arvedson JC. Pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders: state of health, population trends, and application of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health. Semin Speech Lang 2007; 28 (3) 161-165
• 6 Manikam R, Perman JA. Pediatric feeding disorders. J Clin Gastroenterol 2000; 30 (1) 34-46
• 7 Arvedson JC, Lefton-Greif MA. Ethical and legal challenges in feeding and swallowing intervention for infants and children. Semin Speech Lang 2007; 28 (3) 232-238
• 8 Kerzner B, Milano K, MacLean Jr WC, Berall G, Stuart S, Chatoor I. A practical approach to classifying and managing feeding difficulties. Pediatrics 2015; 135 (2) 344-353
• 9 Burklow KA, Phelps AN, Schultz JR, McConnell K, Rudolph C. Classifying complex pediatric feeding disorders. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1998; 27 (2) 143-147
• 10 Arvedson JC, Brodsky L. Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding Assessment and Management. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning; 2002
• 11 VanDahm K. Pediatric Feeding Disorders. Framingham, MA: Therapro; 2012
• 12 Brackett K, Arverdson J, Manno CJ. Pediatric feeding swallowing disorders: general assessment and intervention. Perspectives on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders 2006; 15: 10-15
• 13 Clawson B, Selden M, Lacks M, Deaton AV, Hall B, Bach R. Complex pediatric feeding disorders: using teleconferencing technology to improve access to a treatment program. Pediatr Nurs 2008; 34 (3) 213-216
• 14 Morgan AT, Dodrill P, Ward EC. Interventions for oropharyngeal dysphagia in children with neurological impairment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012; 10: CD009456
• 15 Sharp WG, Jaquess DL, Morton JF, Herzinger CV. Pediatric feeding disorders: a quantitative synthesis of treatment outcomes. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2010; 13 (4) 348-365
• 16 Ferluga ED, Archer KR, Sathe NA , et al. Interventions for Feeding and Nutrition in Cerebral Palsy: Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 94. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2013
• 17 Arvedson JC. Assessment of pediatric dysphagia and feeding disorders: clinical and instrumental approaches. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2008; 14 (2) 118-127
• 18 Gisel EG. Effect of oral sensorimotor treatment on measures of growth and efficiency of eating in the moderately eating-impaired child with cerebral palsy. Dysphagia 1996; 11 (1) 48-58
• 19 Fucile S, Gisel EG, McFarland DH, Lau C. Oral and non-oral sensorimotor interventions enhance oral feeding performance in preterm infants. Dev Med Child Neurol 2011; 53 (9) 829-835
• 20 Lukens CT, Silverman AH. Systematic review of psychological interventions for pediatric feeding problems. J Pediatr Psychol 2014; 39 (8) 903-917
• 21 Milnes SM, Piazza CC, Carroll T. Assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. Child Nutrition Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Develop 2013- 2016; 23-26
• 22 Piazza CC, Roane H. Assessing Childhood Psychopathology and Developmental Disabilities. New York, NY: Springer Science and Business Media; 2009
• 23 Arvedson J, Lefton-Greif M. Instrumental assessment of pediatric dysphagia. Semin Speech Lang 2017; 38 (2) 135-146
• 24 Heckathorn DE, Speyer R, Taylor J, Cordier R. Systemic review: non-instrumental swallowing and feeding assessments in pediatrics. Dysphagia 2016; 31 (1) 1-23
• 25 Benfer KA, Weir KA, Boyd RN. Clinimetrics of measures of oropharyngeal dysphagia for preschool children with cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental disabilities: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol 2012; 54 (9) 784-795
• 26 Skuse D, Stevenson J, Reilly S, Mathisen B. Schedule for oral-motor assessment (SOMA): methods of validation. Dysphagia 1995; 10 (3) 192-202
• 27 Gisel EG, Alphonce E, Ramsay M. Assessment of ingestive and oral praxis skills: children with cerebral palsy vs. controls. Dysphagia 2000; 15 (4) 236-244
• 28 Kenny DJ, Koheil RM, Greenberg J , et al. Development of a multidisciplinary feeding profile for children who are dependent feeders. Dysphagia 1989; 4 (1) 16-28
• 29 Sheppard JJ, Hochman R, Baer C. The dysphagia disorder survey: validation of an assessment for swallowing and feeding function in developmental disability. Res Dev Disabil 2014; 35 (5) 929-942
• 30 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Pediatric dysphagia practice portal. Available at: http://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589934965&section=Assessment . Accessed October 1, 2016
• 31 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Pediatric dysphagia: overview. Pediatric dysphagia practice portal. Available at: http://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589934965&section=Treatment . Accessed October 4, 2016
• 32 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Pediatric feeding history and clinical assessment form. Available at: http://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/Pediatric-Feeding-History-and-Clinical-Assessment-Form.pdf . Accessed October 1, 2016
• 33 Morris SE, Dunn Klein M. Pre-Feeding Skills: A Comprehensive Resource for Mealtime Development. 2nd ed. Austin, TX: Pro ed; 2000
• 34 Davis-McFarland E. Family and cultural issues in a school swallowing and feeding program. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 2008; 39 (2) 199-213
• 35 Arverdson J, Delaney AL. Expect the unexpected in pediatric swallowing evaluations. Paper presented at: 2013 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention; 2013; Orlando, FL
• 36 Swigert NB. The Source for Pediatric Dysphagia. Austin, TX: LinguiSystems; 1998
• 37 Hurley DS. Positioning for feeding success. In: VanDahm K, , ed. Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment. Framingham, MA: Therapro; 2012
• 38 Alexander R. Transitioning to cup drinking. In: Damh KV, , ed. Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment. Framington, MA: Therapro; 2012
• 39 Edwards S, Davis AM, Ernst L , et al. Interdisciplinary strategies for treating oral aversions in children. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2015; 39 (8) 899-909
• 40 Toomey KA, Ross ES. SOS approach to feeding. Perspectives on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders 2011; 20: 82-87
• 41 Fishbein M, Cox S, Swenny C, Mogren C, Walbert L, Fraker C. Food chaining: a systematic approach for the treatment of children with feeding aversion. Nutr Clin Pract 2006; 21 (2) 182-184
• 42 Fraker C, Walbert L. Treatment of selective eating and dysphagia using pre-chaining and food chaining therapy programs. Perspectives on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. 2011; 20: 75-81
• 43 Patel MR, Piazza CC, Layer SA, Coleman R, Swartzwelder DM. A systematic evaluation of food textures to decrease packing and increase oral intake in children with pediatric feeding disorders. J Appl Behav Anal 2005; 38 (1) 89-100
• 44 Laud RB, Girolami PA, Boscoe JH, Gulotta CS. Treatment outcomes for severe feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. Behav Modif 2009; 33 (5) 520-536
• 45 Fischer E, Silverman A. Behavioral conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. Semin Speech Lang 2007; 28 (3) 223-231