ABSTRACT
When considering how to meet the nutritional needs of the child with disabilities, it is vital to understand the complexity of the normal development of eating and drinking patterns. Other considerations include, why we eat and the choices we make around mealtimes; the importance of the child’s position and what special equipment may help to increase the child’s independence. Some knowledge of the development of behavioural problems is also desirable as past experiences may influence the sensation of swallowing e.g. tube feeding or nasopharyngeal suctioning. From the above it is already clear that meeting the needs of children with disabilities is complex, and the most effective approach to working is multi-disciplinary, family-centred care (Carpenter 1997). It also follows that the roles of the ‘feeding’ team also need to be considered.
