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conferenceseries.com
May 22-23, 2017 Las Vegas, USA
International Conference on
Speech Language Pathology
Volume 2, Issue 3 (Suppl) J Speech Pathol Ther
ISSN: 2472-5005, an open access journal ISLPC 2017
May 22-23, 2017
Feeding techniques and practices for children with disabilities living outside of permanent family
care around the globe
Maureen Dykinga
SPOON, USA
Feeding techniques that are considered best practice and assist infants and children with disabilities (CWD) to remain
safe during mealtimes have been studied in the United States. What is less well understood is how applying best feeding
practices to those living in institutional care around the globe has a positive impact on health and nutrition indicators. Unsafe
feeding practices and respiratory health issues are frequently observed in these settings and SPOON has collected nutrition
data that shows high rates of wasting, stunting and anemia in this population. In order to better understand the relationship
between feeding practices and health/nutrition indicators, SPOON developed a feeding assessment tool to assist with training
and act as a guided observation that leads to recommended interventions that address feeding practices including positioning,
pacing, responsiveness and texture modification. Paper versions were reviewed, modified and integrated into a smart digital
application (app) that assesses mealtime practices and uses built-in logic to customize the assessment. SPOON’s work in the
field has taught us that addressing feeding or nutrition practices in isolation is not as effective as integrating these interventions
and this is a primary feature of the digital app. The data collected will be used to monitor health and nutrition indicators and
correlate these to the change in feeding practices during mealtime. Contributing to this body of knowledge and increasing our
understanding of the impact that feeding practices have on health and nutrition, for infants and CWD living in institutional
care around the globe is critical.
Biography
Maureen Dykinga has completed her Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University, USA. After providing pediatric clinical
care in her own private practice for 13 years, she expanded her scope of work to include infants and children around the globe, by becoming the Feeding and
Disability Specialist at SPOON, an NGO that specializes in feeding and nutrition for children living outside of permanent family care.
Maureen Dykinga, J Speech Pathol Ther 2017, 2:3,(Suppl)