A speech and language therapist can help if you or your child is having difficulties with swallowing. They will ask you questions and watch you or your child eat and drink to consider what might affect mealtimes. The speech and language therapist will often make recommendations based on this.

Swallowing difficulties

Tube feeding may be necessary for some people who struggle to eat and drink enough to grow and stay healthy. Sometimes someone may refuse to eat and drink if it does not feel safe or comfortable.

Some people find it difficult to swallow. Particles of food or drink may pass into the lungs as food moves through the throat. This is called aspiration and can sometimes cause breathing problems or infection in the lungs.

Tube feeding

People may struggle to eat a variety of food and drink for lots of reasons. This could include sensory issues.

It may be distressing for someone with sensory issues if they cannot have foods that are familiar, safe and acceptable.

Families will often adjust to the person's restricted diet. Someone with sensory issues may be more comfortable with:

• particular tastes and textures, such as crunchy, soft, dry, salty or sweet
• particular colours, such as food or drink that is red, beige or white
• keeping different foods separate from other foods, so they may eat crunchy cereal and drink milk, but refuse to eat when combined, or reject meals when different foods touch on the plate
• certain food and drink brands because they are predictable in taste, smell, shape, texture and appearance

You can understand more about someone's sensitivities by looking at the activities or sensory experiences that they might be avoiding or seeking.

There may be some ways to help someone regulate their emotions and expand their sensory experience. This can make daily activities like mealtimes less stressful for them.

Ask your healthcare professional for advice.

People with eating difficulties often also have problems with:

• reflux
• drooling

The Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System is a way to talk about how people with CP eat and drink. It can be useful when you are talking about eating and drinking difficulties with people with CP, families and professionals. 

Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System for people with cerebral palsy (YouTube)

Speech and language therapy

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK.

ASLTIP (The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice) offers information about independent speech and language therapy.

Nutrition

British Dietetic Association is the association of UK dietitians.

PINNT (Patients on Intravenous and Naso Gastric Nutrition Therapy) promotes public awareness and research.

BAPEN (British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) raises awareness of malnutrition.

Support and equipment

BLISS offers advice on premature babies and feeding options.

Living Made Easy offers practical, unbiased information and advice on disability equipment.

Fledglings sells toys and aids such as feeding cups, spoons and bibs to help parents, carers and childcare professionals.

You can talk to others in our online community.

Emotional support for families of disabled children