In response to the need for a reliable and valid assessment tool, the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment (SOMA) was designed. It was developed and validated on a large sample of normally developing infants as well as infants with clinically significant oral motor dysfunction. The SOMA is simple to administer and quick to score, and can be performed in the clinic, nursery, school or the child?s home. It entails the presentation of a range of tastes and textures to the infant in order to elicit a full range of each oral motor challenge categories, ranging from liquid through to chewable solids. Specific oral motor behaviours are rated for each oral motor challenge category. Responses are summed to obtain a score for each category, enabling the speech and language therapist to distinguish those infants with normal oral motor function from those with oral motor dysfunction.

Contains: as assessment of oral-motor skills; methods for selecting appropriate oral-motor goals; information about oral sensitivity; a list of equipment needs; a program of oral-motor activities; observation forms; a family letter.

Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding: Assessment and Management, Third Edition provides information to practitioners interested in and involved with children who demonstrate swallowing and feeding disorders. Since the 2002 publication of the second edition, there has been an exponential increase in the number of medically fragile and complex children with swallowing/feeding disorders. A corresponding proliferation in the related basic and clinical research has resulted in the increased appreciation of the complicated inter-relationships between structures and systems that contribute to swallowing/feeding development, function, and disorders. Case studies throughout the book provide examples for decision making and highlight salient points. New to the Third Edition: * Maureen A. Lefton-Greif, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is welcomed as co-editor. She brings extensive research expertise and clinical practice in pediatric dysphagia and feeding. * All chapters contain significant updated evidence-based research and clinical information. * New chapters focus on the genetic testing and conditions associated with swallowing and feeding disorders, and the pulmonary manifestations and management of aspiration. * World Health Organization (WHO) description of an International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) sets the stage for an in-depth discussion of clinical feeding evaluation procedures, interpretation, and management decision making. Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding continues to be the leading text on pediatric dysphagia that provides practical information for clinicians seeing children with swallowing and feeding disorders. The overall importance of an appropriate fund of knowledge and shared experience employing team approaches is emphasized throughout this third edition as in the earlier editions of this book. From the Foreword: "The Editors have recognized the advances and changes in the understanding in the information now available for the care of pediatric swallowing and feeding challenges. They have recruited an outstanding group of contributors for this newest edition. There are numerous critically important updates and additions in the third edition. They have included World Health Organizations International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health is the functional basis in all areas of the book. This text has its importance as there has been an increased number of children with complex medical and healthcare conditions which are risk for feeding and swallowing disorders. This edition stresses the need for team approaches and also documents the use of “virtual” teams ...Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding: Assessment and Management, Third Edition is the fundamental holistic source for all healthcare providers providing the care for swallowing and feeding in children. This book will be utilized by all caring for children with feeding and swallowing problems throughout the world. The previous editions have been and now this updated third edition continues to be the standard source for the information concerning diagnosis and care of these children." —Robert J. Ruben, MD, FAAP, FACS Distinguished University Professor Departments of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatrics Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York

In recent years there has been a great surge of interest in the area of oral motor assessment and treatment. It almost seems as if an "oral motor explosion" has occurred, and the speech-language pathologists is left wondering Where do I begin? Where can I find appropriate and adequate training in this area? What tools and materials should I buy? What techniques should I use? This book will answer all these questions and many more. Chapters include: Anatomical and Neurological Bases, Physiological Considerations, Key Issues and Treatment Considerations, Birth to 2-year Period Assessment and Treatment, 2- to 4-year Period Assessment and Treatment, 4- to 6-year Period Assessment and Treatment, 6- to 12-year Period Assessment and Treatment, Adolescent and Adult Assessment and Treatment. Report Writing, and Resources and Product Sources. For practicing clinicians in assessment and treatment of oral motor concerns in clients of all ages with a variety of disorders.

When a child has a health problem, parents want answers. But when a child has cerebral palsy, the answers don't come quickly. A diagnosis of this complex group of chronic conditions affecting movement and coordination is difficult to make and is typically delayed until the child is eighteen months old. Although the condition may be mild or severe, even general predictions about long-term prognosis seldom come before the child's second birthday. Written by a team of experts associated with the Cerebral Palsy Program at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, this authoritative resource provides parents and families with vital information that can help them cope with uncertainty. Thoroughly updated and revised to incorporate the latest medical advances, the second edition is a comprehensive guide to cerebral palsy. The book is organized into three parts. In the first, the authors describe specific patterns of involvement (hemiplegia, diplegia, quadriplegia), explain the medical and psychosocial implications of these conditions, and tell parents how to be effective advocates for their child. In the second part, the authors provide a wealth of practical advice about caregiving from nutrition to mobility. Part three features an extensive alphabetically arranged encyclopedia that defines and describes medical terms and diagnoses, medical and surgical procedures, and orthopedic and other assistive devices. Also included are lists of resources and recommended reading.