Physiotherapy for cerebral palsy

⸻ ⭐ Exercises for Food Dropping in Cerebral Palsy 1. Hand–Mouth Coordination Training A. Touch and Match • Child touches chin → cheeks → lips → tongue • Practice bringing hand to mouth with empty spoon • Then add food with small quantities B. Spoon-to-Mouth Target Training • Use thick-handled spoon • Practice slow movement from bowl → mouth • Give visual marker near lips (small sticker -colored tape) ⸻ ⭐ 2. Oral Motor Strengthening (Very important) A. Lip Closure Exercises • Blow bubbles • Blow whistles • Kissy face (pucker lips) • Hold a straw with only lips (no teeth) B. Tongue Control • Tongue up → down • Tongue side to side • Licking yogurt from corner of lips • Push tongue against a tongue depressor C. Cheek Strength • Blow balloon (if safe) • Puff cheeks → release • Hold air for 5 seconds ⸻ ⭐ 3. Fine Motor Feeding Exercises A. Grip Strengthening • Theraputty squeeze • Sponge squeeze in water • Cloth peg pressing • Picking up small food pieces (pincer grip) B. Wrist Stability • Wrist extension on table while holding spoon • Wall push with open palm • Rolling dough with both hands C. Elbow Control • Elbow supported on table → bring spoon to mouth • Slow controlled movements with weighted spoon ⸻ ⭐ 4. Trunk & Postural Control for Feeding Food drops increase when trunk is unstable. Strengthen posture. A. Sitting Balance • Sitting on therapy ball with support • Side-to-side & forward-back rocking • Reaching for toys while sitting B. Core Strengthening • Modified plank (on knees) • Bridge pose • Sit-to-stand repetitions • Reaching cross-body (right hand → left toy) ⸻ ⭐ 5. Assistive Feeding Techniques A. Use Proper Seating • Hips at 90° • Knees at 90° • Feet supported • Tray table at chest level B. Adaptive Feeding Tools • Weighted spoon for shaky hands • Angled spoon for better reach • Non-slip bowl mat ⸻ ⭐ 6. Sensory-Based Feeding Training If the child is hypersensitive or hyposensitive in the mouth, food droppings increase. A. Oral Sensory Warm-Up • Vibrating toothbrush around lips • Cold cloth press on cheeks • Deep pressure on jawline • Tapping around lips (OT technique) ⸻ ⭐ 7. Bilateral Coordination • Holding cup with two hands • Stabilizing bowl with one hand • Hand-over-hand spoon feeding practice ⸻ ⭐ 8. Swallowing & Tongue Control During Eating • Take small bites • Chew on molars (side chewing) • Encourage child to clear food from lips