Introduction

Feeding is a vital part of everyday life. Healthy and nutritious foods are essential for brain development, so feeding plays an essential role in the development of motor and cognitive functions. Poor nutritional status is common in children with cerebral palsy because of feeding and swallowing problems. Untreated feeding issues may lead to growth failure, chronic aspiration, oesophagitis, and respiratory infections. They can also impact a child's social, emotional, and cognitive function and significantly increase caregiver stress. This course discusses feeding difficulties in children with cerebral palsy and strategies that can help facilitate independent eating.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• identify at least three consequences of feeding and swallowing challenges and at least three signs of feeding difficulties in children with cerebral palsy
• discuss the general mechanics of feeding and swallowing and key motor, sensory and swallowing difficulties that may affect children with cerebral palsy
• describe the role of at least two members of the rehabilitation team in assessing feeding and swallowing difficulties in children with cerebral palsy and at least five treatment strategies that can help improve feeding

Target audience

This course is aimed at rehabilitation professionals, students and assistants including but not limited to Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Rehabilitation Doctors, Rehabilitation Nurses, Prosthetists, Orthotists, Psychologists, Audiologists, Dietetics, Social Workers. Community Health Workers, Nurses or Medical Doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.

Practicalities

• Availability - this course is online and can be completed on your own schedule.
• Hours of Learning - No deadlines are applied to this course and it can be started and completed in your own time according to your personal schedule. We expect the required elements to take around 1-1.5 hours depending on your schedule and learning style. Additionally there are many optional resources provided and if you choose to review these the course could take longer to complete.
• Types of Activities - This course includes instructional and/or practical videos, reading activities, AI supported learning activities, reflection, evaluation forms, a quiz and additional resources.
• Certificates - At the end of the course, when you have completed all of the required elements, you will be able to download a certificate of completion and 1 Plus points will be added to your personalised learning dashboard.

Instructor financial and non-financial disclosures

Teona Darchia: No relevant relationships disclosed by instructor.

Accessibility and Non-Discrimination Policy

Physiopedia Plus is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all participants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age in any aspect of our continuing education services. We are dedicated to ensuring that all learners can fully participate in our programmes. Participants who require accommodations or have special needs are encouraged to contact us with details so that we can make all reasonable efforts to meet these requirements.