Failure to thrive/poor weight gain
March 16, 2010
Failure to thrive is a general diagnosis given to children whose weight measurements do not meet the expectations on the standard growth chart for children their age. There are numerous possible causes and underlying concerns. Our goal is to collaborate with the pediatrician and other specialists involved in each client’s case and work diligently with the family to overcome any feeding issues that may be contributing. We work closely with registered dieticians and nutritionists to maximize nutrition, caloric intake and health improvements through feeding therapy.
NG-tube/J-tube/G-tube feeding/transitioning/weaning
February 10, 2010
Feeding tubes are placed in infants and children for numerous medical reasons. Many of our clients come to us from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or following extended hospital stays. Our therapists work hand in hand with each client’s team of physicians to provide appropriate care and treatment. Oral motor and feeding therapy is implemented based on individualized needs. We follow specific protocols to assist our clients as they transition from continuous feeds to bolus feeds, as well as weaning them to complete tube independence.
Oral Motor
April 18, 2009
Oral motor therapy is FUN! This type of therapy is used to promote strength, coordination, control and range of motion of the muscles of the mouth. Children with speech, phonological, feeding and swallowing disorders as well as children with apraxia benefit greatly from oral motor therapy. By using items children love, we are able to get into their mouths and provide input and stimulation to the cheeks, lips, tongue, jaw and palate. These critical, intricate muscle groups begin working together to improve speech sounds, improve eating and drinking skills, increase effective swallowing, and decrease drooling amongst a host of other benefits.
Dysphagia
April 18, 2009
Dysphagia is a disorder of the swallow. Individuals with dysphagia do not have a normal or strong enough swallow adequate to manage foods and/or liquids and sometimes even their own saliva. Instead of the food/liquid/saliva moving from the mouth through the esophagus, the food/liquid/saliva moves into the airway and there is a dangerous risk of aspiration. Obvious signs of dysphagia are choking, coughing, or clearing of the throat following a swallow and a “gurgly” quality to the swallow. Continuing to ingest foods or liquids when dysphagia-like symptoms are present can be very dangerous. Silent aspiration is even more dangerous. Silent aspiration occurs when the food and/or liquid is going into the airway undetected. Individuals with silent aspiration do not exhibit any obvious symptoms and often end up with pneumonia due to the presence of the food/liquids in the lungs.
Dysphagia can only be diagnosed by certain tests. Typically, our clients with dysphagia are referred to us from pediatricians or other physicians who have documented the presence of the dysphagia following a Video Swallow Study (VSS) or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). These tests are performed using barium in varying consistencies of liquid and food to determine how well a person can protect their airway naturally against each consistency. The stage and location of the dysphagia will be identified and your therapist will then implement a treatment plan consisting of exercises to strengthen and coordinate the muscles in question to strengthen the swallow. Alterations to diet are also necessary to prevent aspiration and protect the airway.
Constant communication with you and your child’s physicians is a top priority, as well as follow up swallow studies to monitor progress.