1. Feeding Problems and Assessment in Individuals with Intellectual Disability
- Author
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Meg Stone-Heaberlin, Jill C. Fodstad, and Anna Merrill
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Patient population ,Feeding problems ,Life span ,Intellectual disability ,Cognitive development ,medicine ,Collaborative Care ,Psychology ,medicine.disease ,Feeding difficulty - Abstract
Mealtime and feeding problems co-occur in individuals of any age diagnosed with intellectual disability (ID). Many variables may contribute to the emergence, presence, and maintenance of problems related to eating in this patient population including environmental contingencies, medical complexities, adaptive deficits, and neurological conditions. Whatever the reason(s), providing appropriate supports and treatments to improve the individual's nutritional intake is a top priority for fostering growth, cognitive development and learning, and appropriate life span. This present chapter provides a brief introduction and overview of the presence and factors surrounding feeding problems in individuals with ID. Guidelines are provided to assist the clinician in the assessment of behavioral, medical, and physiological factors related to feeding difficulties. Finally, the importance of an interdisciplinary team and collaborative care is discussed as an optimal solution to achieve better outcomes for the individual.
- Published
- 2020