The transition from nonoral to oral feeding in children.

In this single-subject study, an evaluation was completed to determine the effect of occupational therapy intervention on the oral intake of 3 children who had their nutritional needs met by nonoral methods prior to the administration of an oral feeding program. Treatment consisted of a gradual increase of food presentation with the application of behavioral management methods and the presentation of developmentally appropriate play activities. Oral intake was measured during baseline and intervention phases to establish the effect of intervention. An analysis indicated an increase in oral intake in the intervention phase in 2 of the 3 children. The results, that occupational therapy intervention can increase the oral intake of children in transition from nonoral to oral feeding, might be strengthened through the replication of this study on larger populations.