Providing Nutrition Services for Infants, Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs
January 2004 (Vol. 104, Issue 1, Pages 97-107)ABSTRACT
It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that nutrition services are essential components of comprehensive care for infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities and special health care needs. Nutrition services should be provided throughout the life cycle in health care, educational, and vocational programs in a manner that is interdisciplinary, family centered, community based and culturally competent. Persons with developmental disabilities and special health care needs frequently have nutrition problems including growth alterations (such as failure to thrive, obesity and growth retardation) metabolic disorders, poor feeding skills, medication-nutrient interactions and partial or total dependence on enteral or parenteral nutrition. Poor health habits, limited access to services and long-term use of multiple medications are considered risk factors for additional health problems. Legislation for individuals with special needs has evolved over time, resulting in a transition from institutional facilities and programs to community living. The expansion of public access to technology and health information on the Internet challenges dietetics professionals to provide accurate scientific information for those with developmental disabilities and special health care needs. Nationally credentialed dietetics professionals are best prepared to provide appropriate nutrition information as it pertains to wellness and the maintenance of good health and quality of lifestyle.
