Nutrition: an issue of concern for children with disabilities

Children with special health care needs should be identified as early as possible. Nutritionists, educators, therapists, parents, primary care clinicians, should serve as interdisciplinary advocates for these children by planning through conversations, meetings, and individualized educational plan objectives to secure any needed services. Intervention services also can involve specialized techniques such as food preparation, stimulation of the eating process, and monitoring of specialized feedings (e.g., gastrostomy tubes). Intervention with children exhibiting special health needs should be interdisciplinary in nature, family centered, community based, and cognizant of cultural differences. Some of the intervention strategies for this population include screening and assessment, genetic counseling, support groups for families, financial counseling, transportation, legal services, day care, respite care, and assistance with special equipment [1].