Amy

[annerae63]

Hi Amy-
You had asked me in a previous post about how we got Evan to chew. Well, it took alot of patience (something I don't have alot of but I'm learning!), time and effort to get Evan to where he is today-it took a good two years of hard work on everyone's part. We worked with a feeding therapist here in Columbus where we live as well as the feeding team in Cincinnati. I have to say though that we saw the most improvement after the trach came out-hands down. Up until that point he wasn't talking so much either and I can't help but think that eating was 1)uncomfortable with the trach as far as swallowing goes plus he probably wasn't tasting much and 2) if he wasn't using his mouth to talk then how did know how to move it around to eat? Does that make sense? I just think the two have to go hand in hand because don't kids start eating solids (things more than just formula) around the same time they start babbling and vocalizing? Does Corey receive any therapy specifically for eating? I think I would start there. He was decannulated last month, right?

I really thought I was going to lose my mind over the eating thing-we're not totally out of the woods yet but he's come a long way. The other day he ate salisbury steak at school and loved it!

[akabot]

Yes, Corey has been working with a speech therapist and occupational therapist for eating. The last year we have really been hitting the eating thing hard. Corey is making progress, but it feels so slow. I do think that he is doing less gagging on table food now that the trach is out. Hopefully that will allow him time to figure out how to chew.

Thanks for the reply. Evan's story definitely gives me hope!

Amy

[annerae63]

Has your therapist given you a little red rubber hammer for him to practice chewing on? Evan did really well with that-easy exercise to do at home.

I know how frustrating it can be AND how time can seem to move so slowly while you are dealing with it. Hang in there Amy!!