2012 年 32 巻 1 号 p. 10-19
Studies on feeding behaviors of children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) have focused mainly on problematic behaviors such as food selectivity and how to deal with them. Few studies have addressed the motor aspects of feeding behavior. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of feeding behavior of children with PDD using a spoon. The study participants consisted of 8 children with PDD attending a childrens disability center (6 boys and 2 girls; mean±SD=36.1±4.2 months). Feeding behaviors of the participants at lunch time were videotaped. They were also assessed with the Enjoji Scale of Infant Analytical Development Test on the same day. These 2 assessment procedures were repeated about one year later. The control group consisted of 5 healthy children (2 boys and 3 girls; mean±SD=43.2±7.4 months). The following results were obtained. Comparison between the children with PDD and controls showed significant differences in “motion of lips during food intake" and “neck rotation". Correlations between the feeding assessment and the Enjoji Scale were as follows. On the first assessment, “motion of the lips during food intake" did not correlate significantly with any items of the Enjoji Scale. However, on the second assessment, this item showed significant correlations with all Enjoji Scale items. The characteristics of children with PDD were considered to lesser motion of the lips and neck rotation. We speculate that development of lip motions might be greatly influenced by therapeutic education.
