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Nutritional Guidance
Nutritional Guidance for Cerebral Palsy
What Is Nutritional and Dietary Counseling?
Nutrition therapy is often a part of cerebral palsy treatment because many children have digestive difficulties and feeding problems. Nutritional interventions can improve symptoms and help manage associated conditions. A specialised diet and nutritional counseling can help parents learn what foods aid digestion, what supplements their child may need, and how to overcome feeding problems.
Everyone needs good nutrition, but for children with cerebral palsy, dietary needs are often not met due to associated conditions of the disorder.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that can affect muscles throughout the body, including those involved in swallowing and digestion. Children with cerebral palsy often suffer from malnutrition because of limited oral-motor function. In other words, eating is difficult for them.[1]
Other problems that can impact nutritional needs include sensory issues, frequent infections, and poor appetite due to medication side effects.
A nutritional counselor or therapist evaluates, organises, and implements specific diet and nutrition plans for each child.
Nutritional counselors always consider several things when planning an individualised diet. These include a child’s environment, cultural factors, skinfold measurements, allergies, intolerance, and other health issues.
A nutrition therapist or counselor also provides education and awareness to parents and caregivers, which helps them implement the child’s nutritional needs at home and school. Monitoring, evaluations, and assessments are important to ensure each child successfully achieves their nutritional goals.