Speech pathology LEND trainee, Emily Corley, introduces spoon feeding to client as Cassie Miller, Feeding Clinic mentor, advises on technique.
What’s the news?
The
Feeding and Swallowing Clinic team at the
West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities saw its 1000th
patient, a two-year-old with a rare neurological condition that only 215 people
in the world have.
Quotes and Comments:
Maxwell Jackson is one of 213 children
worldwide who has Fox G1 syndrome, a rare genetic mutation that impacts brain
development and function. While the spectrum of abilities is quite broad
depending on the exact genetic mutation, many children cannot walk or talk, and
they struggle to communicate their most basic daily needs. The
feeding team worked with Maxwell to eat watered down applesauce, softened
peaches, and crushed crackers as they were evaluating his muscles and their
ability to accept, chew and swallow foods Max’s mother, Marisa, shared that helping her son eat can be an
exhausting process taking anywhere from 15 minutes to three hours for just one
meal.
“He knows his shapes and colors, but it takes so long to feed him that it takes time away from working on his learning,”—Marisa Jackson
Target Audiences:
• Families with small children
• People with neurological disorders
• Physicians
• Caregivers, childcare providers
Resources:
Photos are available for download here.
Read the original story here.
CONTACT: Melina DankoCommunications Manager
Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED)
304.293.4265; mdanko@hsc.wvu.edu