Sensory-based feeding skills for older children

Question 1

The brain must… (3)

Answer 1

1) receive sensory input from body
2) control sensory input- limit the amount of info that is being processed (tune out extraneous stim)
3) interpret sensory input (i.e., is it pain, pleasure, noxious, touch, soothing, alerting? etc.)

Question 2

implications of controlling sensory input on feeding

Answer 2

• brain processes/filters out background/extra stim to prevent sensory overload
• we eat/taste food during eating & swallowing, but don’t perseverate on stim
• allows us to engage in other activities while eating (

Question 3

how does interpreting sensory input affect feeding?

Answer 3

• Brain interprets taste and other stimuli as good or bad.
• Based on that, brain decides whether to allow that stimuli again or to respond negatively to it.
• It also contributes to normal oral-motor manipulation of that stimuli or bolus.

Question 4

sensory development in infants

Answer 4

• mouth= very sophisticated tactile system
• ability to accept/reflexively respond to tactile stim to cheeks, lips, gums, & tongue is critical for survival (nutrition & airway protection)
• neg stimulation early in life significantly affect development of normal oral sensation (i.e., intubation, feeding tubes, surgeries, “force” feeding)

Question 5

sensory development in older children

Answer 5

• initially use mouths more than any other system to explore the world
• pleasure received helps child to progress through the food hierarchy
• exploration of a variety of oral movements also contributes to speech abilities