Functional Feeding Program - week 3

I am just back from spending the day with son. He has been living at the facility where he is receiving intensive therapies for feeding. He receives around 5 1/2 hour sessions a day with an OT and Speech therapist. Things have gone slow the first two weeks. He has multiple disabilities and does not really understand what is going on. He is also very defensive especially in and around the mouth.

I am a bit disappointed there has not been more progress. I really hoped this would move him to a better functional feeding level. His issues have been self feeding, biting and chewing food and difficulties with increased texture. His diet has mostly been pureed for most of his life. Now at the age of 14 I feel he should be moving on to be more dependant with eating. I don't think this is going to happen.

The team will evaluate his progress at the end of the week to see if he would be better off in an out-patient environment. The in-patient environment is very hospital like.

Feeding Program

I was planning to share our experience while my son attends an in-patient feeding program. Here we are 10 days into it and I have not posted. For one thing it is exhausting driving about an hour each way everyday to see him.

He has a lot of oral defensiveness and mostly eats a pureed diet. At the age of 14 I thought I would give it one more try to advance his feeding ability. I am not sure it can be done as he is not very receptive to allowing people put things in his mouth. One of the biggest things I am hoping to achieve is biting and chewing food.

More to come as I know there are many out there with this challenge.