[Dysphagia] CP

[sharon.manders at gmail.com (Sharon Manders)]

I am currently working with a 28 year old with CP . He was admitted with
necrotizing pancreatitis and has suffered through a host of other
ilness/infection during his prologed stay in ICU where he remains. On
MBS/bedside assessments pt demonstrated poor mastication of soft solids-
reduced vertical jaw movement/ no rotary chewing, minimal to no use of
dentition, mainly tongue manipulation (tongue to palate).  Pieces of food
appeared to be swallowed  whole, which was concerning as pt had 2 Ng's and a
trach insitu. The NG's and trach (more recently) have been removed. Pt would
like to get back to his regular texture oral diet, currently on Minced/diced
soft textures.

Curious to know if: 1. Pts with CP have a special/different oral phase of
the swallow; 2. Has anyone had any experience in trying oral motor exercies
to help with chewing .  Currently pt has a moderatly reduced ROM of jaw on
opening with inability to lateralize ? seconday to spasticity.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Helen Papakyriacou
Speech Language Pathologist
St. Joseph's Health Centre
Toronto, On

-- 
"Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of
time."
- George Carlin