Flynn 4-years-old
Occupation-based Problem List
Interventions
Goals
Biomechanical FOR for Positioning Children for Functioning
History
Current Functional Performance
Method of feeding
Caregiver priority
References
Born at 38 weeks gestation
Cesarean section
birth weight: 6 lbs 3 ounces
obstructive sleep apnea
diagnosed
with micrognathia
clubfoot
client factors
performance skills
Resistant to UE WB in quadruped
Developmentally appropriate grasps; though impaired in-hand manipulation and bimanual skills
Impaired VM skills related to pre-writing shapes and cutting
Flynn is non-verbal, pointing and vocalizing in an attempt to communicate; attempts to introduce
communication device results in resistance due to inability to access tablet apps.
Poor active movement above shoulder level
Flynn can sit unsupported on the floor but is unable to sit on an elevated surface without close
supervision/CGA
Flynn can raise self into standing using upper extremities and lifting self from one surface to
another.
Not yet crawling and inconsistently walks with either hand held assist or use of a Kaye
walker; though he can scoot across the floor and up/down steps.
Hypotonia throughout
No sensory processing concerns
Genetic testing positive for Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy
Vision and hearing tests are reportedly normal
Participation in feeding with the use of utensils
Drink primarily from an open cup
Flynn will eat puréed foods from pouches held by an adult or offered on a spoon
He is able to use an open cup but prefers a straw-cup or a 360 cup
Prefers to finger feed
resistant to utensil use
Feeding
Eating
Swallowing
STG
LTG
In 12 weeks, Flynn will feed himself, using a utensil, independently, twice daily, for two weeks consecutively, as reported by parents, for increased independence in feeding.
In 6 weeks, Flynn will drink from an open cup, independently with minimal verbal cues, and minimal spilling, three times daily, for 1 week consecutively, as reported by parents, for increased independence in drinking.
Kramer, P. & Hinojosa, J. (Eds.). (2010). Frames of reference for pediatric occupational therapy (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 13:978-0-7817-6826-9.
Food manipulation impaired due to decreased muscle tone and Mycrognathia impacting the occupation of eating
Refusal to eat with utensil without the assistance from caregiver impacting the occupation of self-feeding
Impaired swallowing due to dysphasia, causing movements of food/liquid from mouth to stomach to be difficult
Impaired in-hand manipulation and bimanual skills affecting drinking from open cup without excessive spilling
Eating
Feeding
Swallowing
Place Flynn in upright or left side-lying positions to facilitate efficient swallowing (Marcus, Breton, & Brooks, 2012).
Apply the use of a positioning belt at a 45 degree angle to maintain a neutral pelvis during eating (Hurley et al., 2011).
Practice extinction strategies to facilitate utensil use during feeding by placing the utensil in Flynn's mouth and allowing him to remove it on his own (Tsu-Hsin & Tien-Ni, 2013).
Use flexed neck and reclined trunk positioning to minimize or eliminate aspiration to promote successful performance during eating (Tsu-Hsin & Tien-Ni, 2013)
Utilize the application of positive reinforcement with verbal praise or brief access to a preferred toy or activity immediately after achieving self-feeding with utensil (Tsu-Hsin & Tien-Ni, 2013).
Add the thickening substance of Gelmix to Flynn's meals to facilitate pacing during swallowing (Marcus, Breton, & Brooks, 2012).
Practice throwing and catching balls to improve bimanual upper extremity coordination
Flynn will practice drawing activities with a pencil to increase his in-hand manipulation skill necessary for holding utensils.
Boop, C., Smith, J., & Kannenberg, K. (2017). The practice of occupational therapy in feeding, eating, and swallowing. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71, 1–13. Retrieved from http://prx-usa.lirn.net/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=127183748&site=eds-live
Tsu-Hsin, H. & Tien-Ni, W. (2013). Systematic review of interventions used in or relevant to occupational therapy for children With feeding difficulties ages birth-5 years. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67(4), 405–412. https://doi-org.prx-usa.lirn.net/10.5014/ajot.2013.004564
Chicago/Turabian
Assessments and Results
Occupational Profile
Grading Interventions
Swallowing (pacing)
Eating (positioning)
Feeding (in-hand manipulation)
Grade (+)
Grade (-)
Use a typical pencil to trace in multiple shapes and directions. This activity will require fine motor and in-hand manipulation skills to be more accurate.
Use a wider pencil with a grip to draw large simple shapes. This grip requires less fine control during grasping, and large simple shapes will require less effort for manipulating the pencil.
Feeding (bimanual coordination)
Grade (+)
Practice bimanual coordination by using both hands to catch and throw a tennis ball. Catching a smaller ball will require an increased amount of bimanual and visual-motor skill accuracy
Grade (-)
Practice bimanual coordination by using both hands to throw and catch 10 inch ball. Catching a larger ball with both hands will require less visual-motor and bimanual accuracy.
Grade (+)
Grade (-)
Grade (+)
Grade (-)
Remove positioning belt and other stabilizers for neutralizing body position during eating, allowing for Flynn to exercise more control over his posture.
Remove ounces of Gelmix from Flynn's meals to make the consistency of the meal thinner, requiring Flynn to maintain control over his swallowing (Marcus, Breton, & Brooks, 2012).
Place additional ounces of Gelmix to Flynn's meals for a thicker consistency to allow for pacing during swallowing. Flynn suffers from constipation, however, Gelmix is a nectar that does hinder bowel movements (Marcus, Breton, & Brooks, 2012).
Apply positioning belt at 45 degree angle to maintain a neutral pelvis, while supporting Flynn's neck and trunk to provide assistance during eating (Hurley et al., 2011).
Marcus, S., Breton, S., & Brookes, N. (2012). Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing: A Practical Guide for OTs. American Occupational Therapy Association (in press).
Hurley, K. M., Cross, M. B., and Hughes, S. O. (2011). A systematic review of responsive feeding and child obesity in high-income countries. J. Nutr. 141, 495–501. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.130047
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This FOR is appropriate for Flynn because it is applied to individuals that cannot maintain posture through appropriate muscle activity due to neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction (Kramer & Hinojosa, 2010).
Flynn demonstrates poor oral motor control resulting from decreased muscle tone. The absence of adequate head and trunk control exacerbates oral motor functions, creating a need for positioning strategies. This FOR states positioning is designed to reduce the influence of low muscle tone on oral motor activities (Kramer & Hinojosa, 2010).
Flynn's impaired hand manipulation and bimanual skills can be addressed through modification of muscle tone in the trunk and shoulders, which may improve tone in the extremities. Control of hand placement provides more opportunity for manipulation and the sensory experiences necessary for fine motor control (Kramer & Hinojosa, 2010).
Clinical Observation
BDI-2 Adaptive Self Care
Supports to occupational engament
Barriers to occupational engagement
Flynn has a chair with supports his caregiver uses during feeding, and he does not show any sensory aversion to his physical surroundings
Flynn's supported feeding chair provides some stabilization during feeding, however, Flynn still exhibits poor posture
Flynn's has social support from mother, father, grandparents. and older sister.
Flynn sustains attention on virtual entertainment sources such as television and music
Flynn refuses to use utensils during meal time unless his mother is present to spoon feed him
Flynn's mother reports a desire for Flynn to use utensils during mealtime because it is appropriate for their family
Flynn exhibits a posterior pelvic tilt while sitting in his feeding chair
Flynn has associated mealtimes with distress and sometimes creates unwarranted behaviors such as utensil refusal
Hypotonia present throughout, creating weakness in upper extremities. Weakness influencing bimanual coordination during feeding.
Flynn resists communication methods via iPad applications
Flynn was assessed using the adaptive self-care subdomain of the BDI-2 in the age range of 48-59 months. Self-care is a 35 question subdomain addressing areas of a child's ability to perform daily routines, specifically the section of eating will be discussed for Flynn. Scores are indicated with a 2, 1, and 0. 2 indicates typically or 90% of the time, 1 indicates sometimes, and 0 indicates rarely. (Newborg, 2005)
Assessment Results
Newborg, J. (2005). Battelle Developmental Inventory, 2nd Edition. Itasca, IL: Riverside.
2 (typically)
1 (sometimes)
0 (rarely)
Asking for food verbally at the table
Obtains a drink from a tap or other sources without assistance
Choosing the appropriate utensil for the food he or she is eating
Child cuts soft foods with side of a fork
Flynn did not score a 2 on any section of self care regarding mealtime
Flynn maintains attention to tasks well
Occupations in which the client is successful
Flynn's grasps are developmentally appropriate
Actively participates in toilet training
Flynn sleeps through the night with appropriate sleep apnea management
Flynn actively participates in exploratory play and parallel play