For those parents who tube feed

As we all know accidents happen.  Sometimes the "button" that connects to a child's stomach pulls out or pops out.  Sometimes it needs to be  completely replaced.  A lot of doctors, hospitals or pediatricians may not carry the same style or size of g-tube button that you need.  It is very important that you keep an extra or several extras on hand in case of emergency.    Just a reminder to those of you who know and to those of you who didn't realize, it is good information.  I just came across this information in a book about children with Rhetts Syndrome.

Mobile Devices and Communication Apps :: AAC-RERC - Spread the Word

Mobile Devices and Communication Apps :: AAC-RERC - Spread the Word

Easy Resources for Outstanding Teachers--By Miss April Lorraine: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Easy Resources for Outstanding Teachers--By Miss April Lorraine: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): "Sensory integration is a very important part of our daily functioning! Some of us are affected more by sensory stimulation around us, so it ..."

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs: 60 Things to Do With a Single Switch

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs: 60 Things to Do With a Single Switch

stimr.com: Special Needs Children: Developemental Disabled: Small victories

stimr.com: Special Needs Children: Developemental Disabled: Small victories

Eating and feeding the Lili Nielsen Way

 When a child has fewer senses  that she can rely on, we have to be create opportunities for learning with her other senses.  If a child  is blind and has limited hand control, she is often fed by others.   The spoon magically appears, loaded with food after  a minor visual and/or tactile cue.

In order to help one of my students move towards self feeding skills, I have provided her with a spoon to hold in her hand, so she may accidentally "chew" on it.  This spoon can be dipped in food, handed to the child or inserted into her fist.   The child can sometimes end up reaching her own mouth with the spoon resulting in a delightful gustatory treat.  I often do this while I am feeding her with my spoon.

Generally, most know that teaching self feeding to a small child is a messy proposition.   This involves the use of bibs, towels,  food on the floor, spills on yourself and on the child.  The mess involved is no less when a child who is older but also a beginner in the art of eating.

A connection between the food and where it comes from is vital for the novice eater who is visually impaired.   This can be accomplished for child who can eat small chunks of food by sprinkling the food on the tray of a feeding chair, high chair or wheelchair.    The child can be guided to or accidentally "discover" the food that is on her tray.

If a child eats pureed food, this can also spread on her tray for her to dip her hands into and possibly put into her own mouth.  In a more advanced method, the bowl of pureed food can be set on her tray so she can explore the connection between the bowl, the spoon and the food by using her hands to explore what is in the bowl.

One five year old student who used the above method, ended up bathed in pudding, but successfully  fed herself about half of the above mentioned chocolate treat with an adapted spoon.