Children with cerebral palsy (CP) who have problems eating or who are not gaining weight and developing as other children their age may need evaluation by a registered dietitian. These health professionals can help determine the specific reason for the nutritional imbalance. Typically, in people with CP, the problem relates to:

• An inability to chew because their teeth and jaws do not fit together correctly.
• An inability to control their mouth muscles to chew and swallow food properly.
• Pain or unusual feelings in their mouths and jaws when eating.

A registered dietitian can offer suggestions for:

• Changes in a person's diet.
• Ways to prepare food to make it easier to chew and swallow.
• Ways to feed a person with cerebral palsy.
• Vitamins and other supplements that may be needed.