Self-feeding Skills

Question 1

Initial early feeding reflexes (such as the swallowing reflex)

Answer 1

10 and 14 weeks of gestational age

Question 2

swallowing reflex

Answer 2

helps regulate amniotic fluid and aids in the maturation of the fetus’ gastrointestinal tract

Question 3

Fetus mouths his/her thumb in early, non-nutritive oral stimulation.

Answer 3

16-20 weeks gestation

Question 4

Sucking is observed
AFTER BIRTH the infant learns to coordinate suck, swallow, and breathing patterns for successful feeding

Answer 4

15-18 weeks

Question 5

Infants are born with significant physiological flexion and enables them to

Answer 5

continue to coordinate a successful sucking pattern outside of the womb

Question 6

Early reflexes typically aid in the infant’s success with initial oral feeding

Answer 6

Rooting reflex
Sucking reflex
Synchronized suck-swallow-breathe pattern

Question 7

infants feed using symmetric oral motor sucking movements

Answer 7

During the first 3 months of life

Question 8

Examples of sensory experiences that typical infants experience:

Answer 8

Feel input from caregiver’s hands, clothing, and other surfaces
Hear their caregiver’s voices, experience eye contact
Feel rhythmic heartbeats against the caregiver’s chest
Experience a variety of smells

Question 9

infant has developed improved head and neck control and is now able to lift and turn the head to maintain head position in supported sitting

positioned more upright for feeding

becoming more interested IN their surroundings and reach and grasp for toys and items of interest

Hands to midline

Voluntary oral patterns occur

Answer 9

3-6 months

Question 10

ready for the introduction of more advanced food textures

Motor skill

Sensory expereinces

Soon feeding

Answer 10

6-12 month

Question 11

the infant has the motor dexterity for meltable finger foods

Mouth closure

Chewing patterns

Answer 11

8 months

Question 12

the infant begins to develop vertical chewing movements, characterized by dissociation between the jaw and tongue. Tongue lateralization is emerging at this stage contributing to greater control of food within the oral cavity

Answer 12

8-12 months

Question 13

the young toddler is now able to feed himself or herself independently because of further development and refinement of gross, fine, and oral motor skills

mature pincer grasp and release

Cup drinking

Postural stability

Answer 13

12-24 months

Question 14

mastery of spoon feeding

Answer 14

18 and 24 months

Question 15

children develop significantly improved core stability and postural control.

Ind self feeding

Answer 15

24 months through 5 years of age

Question 16

Understanding a spoon’s function in self-feeding requires…

Answer 16

cognitive abilities in recognition and classification of objects

Question 17

A child challenged to change patterns of feeding before he or she is ready to apply new motor or cognitive abilities will become

Answer 17

distressed and uncooperative with meals

Question 18

Therapists must consider the child’s

Answer 18

readiness to learn new eating skills before introducing new tasks