Ken is a child with cerebral palsy and a failure to thrive. The team conducting an arena assessment of feeding difficulties includes an occupational therapist, a nurse, a social worker, and a nutritionist. Ken has been reported to have oral-motor deficits such as chewing and swallowing difficulties. Which of the professionals from the team should be designated the lead evaluator for assessing Ken?
A) Occupational therapist
B) Nurse
C) Nutritionist
D) Social worker

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An occupational therapist is the professional who is trained to evaluate and treat feeding difficulties related to oral-motor deficits, such as chewing and swallowing difficulties. Therefore, the occupational therapist should be the designated lead evaluator for assessing Ken's feeding difficulties. The nurse might be responsible for monitoring Ken's health and nutrition, and the nutritionist could provide expertise on dietary considerations, but they may not be as equipped to address Ken's specific feeding difficulties. The social worker could play an important role in identifying and addressing any psychosocial or environmental factors that may be affecting Ken's feeding abilities.

Ken Is a Child with Cerebral Palsy and a Failure