[blindkid] Self feeding

[Sally Thomas]

We have our son hold a spoon in one hand and a fork in the other.  If the 
spoon is in his right hand (he's right handed), he'll hold the fork on the 
plate using it as something to push against.  I will admit that he's not 
super fond of the technique.  It's much easier to use fingers.  We reinforce 
this as much as seems reasonable at each meal and I would say that although 
he is completely blind he is a pretty neat eater.  This is a continuing 
process so you just have to keep after it.  I look forward to hearing the 
ideas of others.

Sally Thomas


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marie" <empwrn at bellsouth.net>
To: "Blindkid email" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 9:04 AM
Subject: [blindkid] Self feeding


> Hello all!
> As you may remember, Jack has five surgically separated digits on each 
> hand but no joints (knuckles) within those fingers. He grasps objects 
> between his palm & fingers. His fingers do bend where they meet the palm 
> but not fully to 90 degrees. He has a modified grasp that serves him well 
> for finger foods. It works okay for other fine motor tasks but he pretty 
> much avoids fine motor tasks if he can. He also has some tactile/texture 
> aversion/sensitivity.
> We have been working on self feeding for a loooooong time and he is now 
> quite independent with finger foods he is willing to touch.
> He does very well with spoonable foods EXCEPT he will scoop at nothing or 
> just get very little on his spoon over and over again. I am glad that he 
> is doing it and not just giving up but surely there is another way? This 
> is one of those tasks that must be difficult for Jack to use his limited 
> vision (20/320 right eye, light perception left eye). He avoids looking at 
> his plate or bowl when he eats.
> I was discussing this with his dad last night and I think we need to quit 
> asking him to look at the bowl/plate.
> How do you teach a child to use eating utensils without using vision?
> I look forward to your suggestions.
>
> Marie (mother of Jack born May 2005)
> See glimpses of life with my determined son who is developing in his own 
> way at his own time at http://allaccesspasstojack.blogspot.com
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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