326 chapter 36
cp Drinking
Successful drinking, like eating,
involves the whole child. Body
position is important. For example,
in a child with cerebral palsy, to drink
from a regular cup or glass, his head
must be tilted back. But this can cause
uncontrolled backward stiffening and
possible choking.
However, if he uses a plastic cup with
a piece cut out, he can drink without
bending his head back.
The cup
should
have a
projecting
rim.
Cut out a
space to
fit around
the child’s
nose.
This way the
child can
drink in a
better, more
controlled
position.
You can make
a special
cup from
a plastic
bottle.
Cut it
like this.
Gently heat
the rim and
gradually bend
it out with a
round smooth
rod or stick.
At first you may need to apply jaw control to help the child close her lips on the rim
of the cup. Tilt the cup so that the liquid touches the upper lip and let the child do the
rest. Do not take away the cup after each swallow as this may trigger pushing the
head back or tongue out. It helps to start with thick liquids—like cooked cereals, maize
mush, or yogurt.
cp Self-feeding
To be able to feed herself, a child needs more than control of her mouth, lips, and
tongue. She also needs to be able to sit with her head up, to pick things up, and to
take them to her mouth.
To prepare for self-feeding, encourage the child to play, taking
his hands and toys to his mouth. Also, encourage him, when
sitting, to balance while he uses both hands (see p. 105 and 307).
A child with poor balance or uncontrolled movements will at first need special
seating adapted to her needs.
A HIGH CHAIR
Try one or
more straps,
to see what
works best.
A CARDBOARD
BOX SEAT
Some children with
cerebral palsy may
only need a foot
strap to stay in a
good position (to
keep the body from
straightening
stiffly as shown
above).
CAUTION: Seats or straps that limit movement should be used only until the child learns to
control her position without being tied or held. Special seating should help the child to do more
and to move more freely. It should not become a prison! For more seating ideas, see p. 323, 573,
and Chapter 65.
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