Abstract
The effectiveness of mandibular control was investigated in 6 developmentally disabled children who had eating or swallowing disorders, through examination the results of ingestion practice and videofluoroscopic studies. In 1 subject no movement of the mandible or tongue was seen and food could not be transported through the oral cavity. However, rhythmical up and down movement of the mandible led to the appearance of smooth, coordinated movement of the mandible and tongue, making it possible to transport food. In 3 patients whose tongue thrusted at the time of ingestion, placement of food on the molars and encouragement of chewing movements like biting made it possible for food to be transported and swallowed smoothly without tongue thrust. However, there were also subjects in whom high muscle tonus made it difficult to induce rhythmical chewing movement, or in whom chewing movements could not be induced at all.
