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Feeding / Oral - Motor
Dianne Lewis, MA, CCC/SLP, Bethesda, MD

Joubert Syndrome Foundation & Related Cerebellar Disorders Professional Advisory Committee Member

Feeding and oral motor skills are always negatively impacted upon in the child with Joubert Syndrome since all of these children have atypical sensi-motor processing throughout the face and mouth. The primary symptom is hypotonia or floppy muscles. Frequently the child with Joubert Syndrome has delayed feeding skills and drooling. Some of these children are hypersensitive to touch, be it food, the spoon, or the cup.


Oral - Motor and Feeding Skills
Gus Olson, MS, OTR, Escanaba, MI

Joubert Syndrome Foundation & Related Cerebellar Disorders Professional Advisory Committee Member

Most children with Joubert Syndrome have feeding delays and may have difficulties with sucking and swallowing due to low tone in the face. Therapists have had some success with the use of a vibrator to the facial muscles to increase muscle tone especially prior to feedings or meals. Caution needs to be observed and the parents should consult an occupational therapist or speech therapist as many of the children are hypersensitive to touch. If frequent hand-to-mouth behaviors are observed, oral stimulation should be incorporated into the sensory diet.

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