| Occupational therapy after brain tumour surgery | 1406.00000000000 | Occupational therapy after brain tumour surgery | Occupational therapy after brain tumour surgery | O | English | Neurology;Developmental | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Brain | Nervous system | Non-drug treatment | Adult (19+) | NA | | 2009-07-10T04:00:00Z | | Erin Lawson, BA, OT | | | | 8.50000000000000 | 65.9000000000000 | 406.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>An in-depth description of the problems your child might have with swallowing after brain tumour surgery, and some useful solutions.</p> | <p>Your child may benefit from an occupational therapist (OT) to improve their ability to do everyday tasks. In the hospital, the OT can help identify areas of difficulties such as thinking, eating, or playing skills. If your child is having any problems swallowing, they should be referred to an OT. Once your child is at home, they may need to continue to use the services of an OT in the community. </p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul><li>An occupational therapist can help with difficulties in fine motor, gross motor, thinking and swallowing skills.</li>
<li>The OT will observe your child while they eat and drink, and may recommend a feeding study to see what your child can safely eat and drink.</li></ul> | "<figure>
</figure>"
<h2>What can an OT help with?</h2>
<p>An OT is specifically trained to find any difficulties in fine motor (movements of small muscles), gross motor (movements of large muscles), thinking and swallowing skills. </p>
<p>These difficulties may affect a child's ability to do everyday tasks in the following areas:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Self-care skills</strong>: eating, bathing, standing to pull up his pants, buttoning a shirt, tying shoelaces</li>
<li><strong>Play skills</strong>: playing with toys or a game, moving to get to a toy, or playing with friends</li>
<li><strong>School skills</strong>: attention and memory skills, organizing a task, writing, using scissors</li></ul>
<h2>Swallowing and occupational therapy</h2>
<h3>Signs of swallowing problems</h3>
<ul><li>Choking or coughing during eating</li>
<li>A wet-sounding voice and cough</li>
<li>Frequent chest infections</li>
<li>Being afraid to eat or drink</li>
<li>Avoiding certain foods</li>
<li>Complaints of food getting stuck or going the wrong way</li>
<li>Drooling</li>
<li>Pocketing of food in the mouth</li></ul>
<h3>What can be done?</h3>
<p>The OT will watch and listen while your child is eating or drinking and may also ask your child to move the muscles of their tongue, lips, and cheeks. In some cases, the OT may recommend a feeding study, which is an X-ray that finds out what your child can drink and eat safely. It is like a movie of what happens inside your child’s mouth and throat from when food enters their mouth until after they swallows. </p>
<p>An OT, radiologist, and X-ray technologist will take part in your child’s feeding study. During the feeding study, your child may be asked to drink different liquids and eat different foods. After the study, the OT will suggest how to feed your child.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Occupational therapy after brain tumour surgery | | False | | | | | |
