Feeding the handicapped child--a review of intervention strategies.

Feeding the handicapped child occurs three or four times per day, every day of the year, despite the child's feeding problems and, in the vast majority of cases, without life threatening consequences. Yet the need for adequate feeding therapy for these children is becoming increasingly recognised. This paper seeks to explore why intervention is so important. The complex causes of feeding problems will be reviewed briefly followed by a discussion of the reasons for intervention. Feeding therapy techniques, strategies and approaches will be reviewed with the need for parent involvement, early intervention and a 'feeding-team' being stressed throughout. This paper highlights the need for intervention in feeding problems, whether or not they are life threatening, particularly in view of their effect upon quality of life of both the child and his family.