How do I teach my 3yr old boy to stick his tongue out? He has Cerebral Palsy and eats orally. I have to finger feed him and I am trying to teach him to eat from a spoon, however he does not open his mouth wide enough for me to put the spoon in his mouth.
Answer
Although people tend to think of eating as something very natural and easy, there are actually many other steps to eating that must be mastered before things like licking and clearing food from a spoon can occur. First, the child must be able to sit and hold their head up on their own. These skills, known as trunk stability and head control, are a sign that the child has enough strength to move his jaw and tongue without moving their head or neck. If your child has difficulty with either of these things I highly recommend you work with a good occupational or physical therapist to help position your child in such a way that these skills are supported when feeding.
Another thing that comes to mind is the power of imitation. Frequently we forget that children do what they see. As an adult, I know to open my mouth for a bite of my favorite cookie dough ice cream or a refreshing lick of a popsicle, but children do not always have the same experiences. I highly recommend that you model for your child exactly what it is that you want him to do. This means eating the same things right along with him. You may even want to sit next to him and look in a mirror so you are looking at the same thing at the same time.
Finally, these skills require advanced jaw strength and stability. There are various exercises that speech language pathologists recommend to help build jaw strength and stability such as learning to bite foods or teethers using their side teeth. I would encourage you to seek out a speech language pathologist with experience in feeding and swallowing disorders to help determine the best exercises to help your child.
Without knowing your child specifically it is difficult to determine exactly where his skills are and the best way to help him. I do commend you for your time, patience, and dedication to helping your child eat orally!
Erin Redle, Ph.D. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and researcher at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. He areas of expertise include pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders and early speech motor development.
Erin Redle, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Erin Redle is the Coordinator of Clinical Research for the Division of Speech Pathology Coordinator at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati. She received her undergraduate degree from Miami University, her M.S. from Emerson College, and her Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati. Her primary research and clinical practice areas are pediatric motor speech development and disorders and pediatric dysphagia.
Related Courses
1https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/treatment-approach-considerations-for-school-9472Treatment Approach Considerations for School-Aged Children with Speech Sound DisordersThis course will address the theoretical underpinnings and research base related to differential diagnosis and treatment of articulation and phonological deficits in children with speech sound disorders. Special considerations for how to tailor evaluation and intervention to meet the needs of school-age children will be discussed.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comTreatment Approach Considerations for School-Aged Children with Speech Sound DisordersThis course will address the theoretical underpinnings and research base related to differential diagnosis and treatment of articulation and phonological deficits in children with speech sound disorders. Special considerations for how to tailor evaluation and intervention to meet the needs of school-age children will be discussed.9472OnlinePT60M
This course will address the theoretical underpinnings and research base related to differential diagnosis and treatment of articulation and phonological deficits in children with speech sound disorders. Special considerations for how to tailor evaluation and intervention to meet the needs of school-age children will be discussed.
2https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/thickened-liquids-in-clinical-practice-10497Thickened Liquids in Clinical Practice: The Plot “Thickens”Clinicians who utilize thickened liquids in their clinical practice are aware of their benefits, but what about the risks and contraindications? Advantages and disadvantages of thickened liquids are reviewed in this course with a focus on clinical outcomes, including impacts on medication administration, lung health, and hydration. Product types are evaluated to facilitate appropriate choices for individual clients.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comThickened Liquids in Clinical Practice: The Plot “Thickens”Clinicians who utilize thickened liquids in their clinical practice are aware of their benefits, but what about the risks and contraindications? Advantages and disadvantages of thickened liquids are reviewed in this course with a focus on clinical outcomes, including impacts on medication administration, lung health, and hydration. Product types are evaluated to facilitate appropriate choices for individual clients.10497OnlinePT60M
Clinicians who utilize thickened liquids in their clinical practice are aware of their benefits, but what about the risks and contraindications? Advantages and disadvantages of thickened liquids are reviewed in this course with a focus on clinical outcomes, including impacts on medication administration, lung health, and hydration. Product types are evaluated to facilitate appropriate choices for individual clients.
3https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/dysphagia-in-neurodegenerative-disease-9732Dysphagia in Neurodegenerative DiseaseDysphagia is common in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease. This course discusses the underlying pathophysiology and appropriate treatment programs for each disease, as well as use of alternate methods of nutrition/hydration.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comDysphagia in Neurodegenerative DiseaseDysphagia is common in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease. This course discusses the underlying pathophysiology and appropriate treatment programs for each disease, as well as use of alternate methods of nutrition/hydration.9732OnlinePT60M
Dysphagia is common in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease. This course discusses the underlying pathophysiology and appropriate treatment programs for each disease, as well as use of alternate methods of nutrition/hydration.
4https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/20q-in-thick-it-international-1075620Q: In the Thick of It - The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI)The importance of using IDSSI to provide standardized language when speaking about texture modification is discussed in this course. Comparisons of IDDSI and the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD), as well as IDDSI standards for pediatric vs. adult patients are presented. Additionally, potential barriers, solutions, and frequently asked questions related to implementation of IDDSI are described.textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.com20Q: In the Thick of It - The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI)The importance of using IDSSI to provide standardized language when speaking about texture modification is discussed in this course. Comparisons of IDDSI and the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD), as well as IDDSI standards for pediatric vs. adult patients are presented. Additionally, potential barriers, solutions, and frequently asked questions related to implementation of IDDSI are described.10756OnlinePT60M
The importance of using IDSSI to provide standardized language when speaking about texture modification is discussed in this course. Comparisons of IDDSI and the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD), as well as IDDSI standards for pediatric vs. adult patients are presented. Additionally, potential barriers, solutions, and frequently asked questions related to implementation of IDDSI are described.
5https://www.speechpathology.com/slp-ceus/course/back-to-basics-swallow-screening-8969Back to Basics: Swallow Screening: How, When, and WhoScreening of swallow function is a well-regarded tool to identify individuals who are potentially at risk of dysphagia and in need of full swallow assessment, but the options are many and varied. This "back to basics" course teaches participants to make informed, evidence-based choices regarding appropriate screening tools specific to their particular patient populations and settings.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlySpeechPathology.comwww.speechpathology.comBack to Basics: Swallow Screening: How, When, and WhoScreening of swallow function is a well-regarded tool to identify individuals who are potentially at risk of dysphagia and in need of full swallow assessment, but the options are many and varied. This "back to basics" course teaches participants to make informed, evidence-based choices regarding appropriate screening tools specific to their particular patient populations and settings.8969OnlinePT60M
Screening of swallow function is a well-regarded tool to identify individuals who are potentially at risk of dysphagia and in need of full swallow assessment, but the options are many and varied. This "back to basics" course teaches participants to make informed, evidence-based choices regarding appropriate screening tools specific to their particular patient populations and settings.
