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⭐ 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)
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⭐ 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
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⭐ 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
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⭐ 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)
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⭐ 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
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⭐ 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)
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⭐ 7. Bilateral Coordination
• Holding cup with two hands
• Stabilizing bowl with one hand
• Hand-over-hand spoon feeding practice
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⭐ 8. Swallowing & Tongue Control During Eating
• Take small bites
• Chew on molars (side chewing)
• Encourage child to clear food from lips
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