Margaret McGough KIN 583 Nutrition & Students with
Disabilities The Developing Child
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Typical diet provides all nutrients, minerals, vitamins needed
for normal growth & development
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In Children with Disabilities, the Typical Diet May Not Be the
Case Difficulty ingesting food Food selectivity Hyperphagia
pathological eating Obese due to inactivity
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What is the Childs Environment Like? Food selection Preparation
Finances Culture Obesity family problem
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Disability or Not, There are Nutritional Struggles with
Children! Children without disabilitiesChildren with disabilities
Over/underweight Refusing to eat, drink Fighting for control at
mealtime Over/underweight Refusing to eat, drink Fighting for
control at mealtime Oral motor skills Medical problems
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A Closer Look at Nutritional Issues in Children with
Disabilities Obesity o Increasing worldwide o What is the ideal way
to assess risks of obesity in children? o BMI, but may not apply
(scoliosis and height) Undernutrition o Increased energy needs in
children who are born prematurely, acutely ill, recovering from
surgery, medication side effects
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Nutritional Issues Contd Stature o Extra calories wont
normalize growth Down syndrome, turner syndrome, FAS, microdeletion
syndromes, etc. o Providing extra calories may result in obesity o
In certain disabilities, its not that the child is truly
undernourished Disability limits eating o Child may not want to eat
o May have physical difficulties
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Comprehensive Care for Children with Disabilities
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Medical Nutritional Therapy What is it? Manipulation of
nutrients and dietary components to affect a disease or condition
Idea: Improve childs health and nutritional status Promote family
enjoyment of child at mealtimes
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MNT: Nutritional Assessment answers 3 questions: 1. Is child
being fed a diet that meets his/her age, gender, and condition? 2.
Is child growing as expected for his/her age, gender, and
condition? 3. Is there a feeding or eating problem?
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Nutritional Care Plan Recommendations Monitors follow up
Addresses the role of food in family (culture, patterns) JUST A FEW
of the sample activities in a NCP: Demonstrate how to determine
portion sizes Select foods to address food texture (avoid choking)
Monitor planned weight gain/loss/catch up
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What About the Child who Cannot Eat? Enternal feeding
(gastrostomy: feeding directly into stomach) complications
involved! Cerebral Palsy, Tay-Sachs Disease, uncontrolled seizures
Parenteral feeding: when feeding has to bypass GI tract (nutrients
directly into bloodstream) hospital setting Nutritional Support
Formulas (food replacements, supplements)
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Concerns Food Allergies increase in concern between types of
food allergies and chronic illness and disabilities Ex: lactose and
gluten free restrictions to treat individuals with disabilities,
hypoallergenic infant formulas Constipation Ex: whole wheat instead
of white, apple with peel instead of juice *laxatives, daily doses
Celiac Disease sensitivity to gluten ASD, down syndrome, Turner
syndrome, Williams syndrome
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Concerns Contd Dietary Self Restriction food refusal,
selectivity, oral motor motor delay, dysphagia (Color, texture,
temperature) OVER 60% OF CHILDREN WITH ASD ARE SELECTIVE EATERS
*Vitamins, adding new foods one at a time
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Just A Few Exs: Disability/DiseaseIssue/Problem/Concern
Cerebral Palsy Autism Prader Willi Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome
Ingesting food Food selectivity Hyperphagia Obesity
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Strategies for Teachers Get to know your students Develop
report with parents Give ideas and suggestions for at home Fact
Sheets Handouts Newsletters Guest Speakers Food Days Incorporate
nutrition in everyday teaching TEACH that we are all different!
COMPREHENSIVE!!!!! Discuss and share these issues and concerns!
WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?