[blindkid] feeding questions

[empwrn at bellsouth.net]

#1 Scooping food is a skill needed for school. Children need to independently feed themselves (if able) so they can get nourishment at school. It is a developmental standard for preschool where we live in Alabama (Shelby county). It's on Jack's IEP.
#2 Jack did exactly what you are describing. Continue to encourage your son to feed himself. I would advise you to not let this be a power struggle. Slowly slowly slowly provide less assistance. You are doing hand over hand now and letting go after the scoop? Next try to just hold his wrist to direct him while he holds the spoon. Next move up his forearm, next his elbow, one day you won't be touching him, he'll scoop and you'll be amazed how good it will feel. Just remember it won't be a straight line. Sometimes he'll need more help. Other times less. I hope I've helped.

Marie-more about Jack- www.allaccesspasstojack.blogspot.com
www.apert.org
www.thecraniofacialcenter.org
Sent from my Palm Treo

-----Original Message-----

From:  Jason Fayre <jfayre at gmail.com>
Subj:  [blindkid] feeding questions
Date:  Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:58 pm
Size:  1K
To:  blindkid at nfbnet.org

Hello list,
My wife and I adopted our son from India back in November of last
year.  For the most part, things are going great!
I do have one question that I'm hoping someone on this list can help
us out with.  In the orphanage, our son was fed all the time.  I
should say that he is almost 6 years old now.  He is now at the point
where he will bring the spoon to his mouth after we scoop the food
onto the spoon for him.  We do this while holding his hand and showing
him the motion of scooping the food.
The problem is that we are not sure how to get beyond this.  He will
reach for your hand if he wants more food.  I'm fairly sure he
understands the motion required, but he is still relying on us to do
it for him.  I don't want to deny him food, so I'm not really sure how
to proceed.
He is now in preschool, and they have been great!  Unfortunately,
since feeding himself isn't a skill that is"needed" for school, the
ocupational therapist at the school won't be working with him on that
skill.
Any suggestions?

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