These are reflex actions originating in the central nervous system that are exhibited by normal infants at birth, in response to particular stimuli. These reflexes are later suppressed due to the development of higher centers in the brain during the first three to twelve months of postnatal life. The oral reflexes include rooting, sucking/suckling, swallowing, tongue protrusion, tongue lateralization, phasic bite, gag, and cough.
Published in Chapter:
Feeding and Swallowing Issues in Children With Neuro-Developmental Disorders
Srushti Shabnam (All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, India), Sunil Kumar Ravi (Shravana Institute of Speech and Hearing, India), and Swapna N. (All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, India)
Copyright: © 2019
|Pages: 20
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-7004-2.ch003
Abstract
The chapter highlights the feeding and swallowing issues seen in children with neuro-developmental disorders, types, and extent of the problem across different disorders; its relation with the neuro-development of the child; effect on the quality of life of the parents/caregivers along with the child, specifically in the Indian context. It also focuses on the importance of assessment, team approach, and review of available tests for the assessment of feeding and swallowing problems in these children. The chapter is also going to give a few insights into the challenges faced by speech-language pathologists during the assessment of the feeding and swallowing issues in these children in the Indian scenario. The chapter will also include a section on applications of ICF model to feeding and swallowing issues in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.