The Effects of Neurodevelopmental Therapy on Feeding and Swallowing.

The gross motor functions of children with cerebral palsy were classified with GMFCS. GMFCS is a 5-level classification system. It uses gross motor skills. The aim is to present an idea of how self-sufficient a child can be at home, at school, and outdoor and indoor venues. GMFCS includes levels that reflect abilities ranging from unlimited walking (level I) to severe head and trunk control limitations. Requires extensive use of assisted technology and physical assistance, and wheelchair (level V). The higher level in GMFCS means a worse and severe outcome. The low levels mean good motor function.

EDACS describes the eating and drinking skills of children with cerebral palsy from the age of 3. It is an ordered scale that defines the degree of assistance required during the meal and the individual's ability to eat and drink between five levels. Level I, safely and efficiently eating and drinking; at level V, it indicates unable to eat or drink safely, relies on tube feeding and is at high risk for aspiration.

Mini-MACS is a functional classification that defines how children with cerebral palsy between the ages of 1 and 4 use their hands while holding objects in daily activities. Skill classes at five levels, based on the need for self-help and adaptation when children hold objects. Level I. Handles objects easily and successfully. Level V. Does not handle objects and has severely limited ability to perform even simple actions.

TIS is a validated scale for cerebral palsy that evaluates the trunk functionally in terms of strength in a sitting position. It also complies with the International Classification of Functionality, Disability and Health in terms of evaluating the static and dynamic balance and trunk coordination of the trunk and the relationship between body function and structures. TIS consists of three subscales: static, dynamic and coordination. For each item; sequential scales with 2, 3 or 4 values are used. The highest scores that can be obtained from the static, dynamic and coordination subscales are; it is 7, 10 and 6 points. Total points are obtained by adding all subscales. The total TIS score ranges from 0 to 23. A high score indicates good trunk control.

SOMA is a measure which identifies "oral-motor dysfunction" (OMD). SOMA involves videotaping children and later assessing their feeding skills. Test was implemented in the presence of the child's main caregiver. The entire assessment lasted 20-30 minutes. SOMA has 7 subcategories. Each subcategory has its own cut-off point. Among the "yes" or "no" options opposite the observed parameters, the appropriate one is marked. In some options, the "yes" option indicates an abnormal function, while in some options the "no" option indicates the presence of an abnormal function. BOTTLE, TRAINER CUP, CUP(Cutting Score): ≥ 5 indicates OMD. < 5 indicates normal oral-motor function(OMF). PUREE: ≥ 3 indicates OMD. < 3 indicates normal OMF. SEMI-SOLIDS, SOLIDS: ≥ 4 indicates OMD. < 4 indicates normal OMF. CRACKER: ≥ 9 indicates OMD. < 9 indicates normal OMF. BOTTLE, CUP, PUREE, SOLIDS; minimum(mi) score: 0, maximum(ma): 9. TRAINER CUP; mi: 0, ma: 14. SEMI-SOLIDS; mi: 0, ma: 8. CRACKER; mi: 0, ma: 22.

The Quality of Life Scale for Children is a general quality of life scale which assesses the physical and psychosocial experiences independent of disease in children between the ages of 2 and 18 years. The scale is composed of 23 items. The items are scored between 0 and 100. The higher the score for the Quality of Life Scale for children, the better is the perception of health-related quality of life. In our study, the total score of the scale was used.

Instrumental evaluation of swallowing is a technique that allows the evaluation of swallowing physiology and anatomy in patients. The most commonly used form in the clinic is Flexible Fiberoptic Endoscopic Methods. The structures and functions related to swallowing are evaluated using through a fiberoptic tube extending from the nose to the pharynx. FEES allows direct visualization of some aspects of the pharyngeal phase. It gives information about the physiological changes that occur before and after swallowing. Since velopharyngeal closure occurs during swallowing, observation cannot be made. The pharynx, tongue root vallecula, pyriform sinuses, and residues formed after swallowing in the airway can be traced. There is no uniform decision to decide if a child should switch from oral feeding to enteral tube feeding, but there is a general consensus.