Video examples
This is an example of an assessment of feeding within a multidisciplinary infant developmental team. In this example the speech pathologist is feeding the baby to assess oromotor skills. The OT role is this situation would be more centred around the baby’s enjoyment of the sensory properties of the food including:
- discussion with the parents about the importance of sensory processing and discovery
- as well as demonstration of ways to facilitate sensory exploration.
It is important that feeding interventions the parent is actively involved in trialling the strategies suggested to develop their confidence and success.
Video 1 (right) shows the infant struggling to manage the puree in his mouth. The speech pathologist is assessing the infant’s oromotor ability. Note that the infant is happy to explore the puree with his hands.
Video 2 (below) is later in the session and the infant has learnt how to open and close his mouth and use his tongue to move the food. This was achieved through modelling, positive feedback and oromotor suggestions given by the speech pathologist. Although he still shows some signs of disorganisation with feeding, the infant has improved in his ability to manage the food in his mouth.
Video 1 shows the infant struggling to manage the puree in his mouth. The speech pathologist is assessing the infant’s oromotor ability. Note that the infant is happy to explore the puree with his hands.
Video 2 is later in the session and the infant has learnt how to open and close his mouth and use his tongue to move the food. This was achieved through modelling, positive feedback and oromotor suggestions given by the speech pathologist. Although he still shows some signs of disorganisation with feeding, the infant has improved in his ability to manage the food in his mouth.
