Over 200 caregivers in Kericho County received specialised training on safe nutrition and feeding to improve care for children suffering from autism and cerebral palsy.
The one-day training dubbed ‘Nutrition Awareness Day’ was spearheaded by a local community-based organisation (CBO), Arise and Shine in collaboration with AIC Litein Mission Hospital.
The programme empowered parents and guardians with practical knowledge in nutrition, hygiene, basic therapeutic exercises and home-based learning approaches.
Addressing the caregivers at the Arise and Shine (CBO) grounds situated in Duka Moja area along the Kericho-Nakuru highway, the CBO Director Pamela Keno said the initiative is designed to empower caregivers with sustainable skills in nutrition and specialised care.
She observed that many caregivers face significant knowledge gaps in supporting children living with autism and cerebral palsy.
“In December last year, a 14-year-old boy living with cerebral palsy tragically choked while being fed a meal of rice by his mother. The incident has raised concerns about the lack of access to specialised nutrition guidance and safe feeding training for caregivers of children with disabilities. Experts say that with proper support and skills such tragedies can often be prevented. The incident prompted the idea of organising a nutrition awareness day for caregivers with children living with cerebral palsy and autism in Kericho County,” said Mrs Keno.
A nutritionist based at AIC Litein Mission Hospital, Laurie Saur Wine urged the caregivers to pay close attention to safe feeding practices and balanced nutrition in order to prevent avoidable complications.
Wine further encouraged the caregivers to provide a balanced diet that includes proteins, fruits and vegetables and energy-giving foods to support growth and overall health adding that regular monitoring of their child’s weight and development was also important.
An occupational therapist working at AIC Litein Mission Hospital and based in the United States of America (USA), Ms Meg D’Amico urged the caregivers of children living with autism and cerebral palsy to adopt safe and supportive feeding practices to reduce health risks and improve mealtime experiences.
While demonstrating to the caregivers safe positioning, sensory needs, motor skills and independent feeding D’Amico told the caregivers that the child should sit upright at a 90-degree angle with the hips, knees and ankles supported as this promotes safe swallowing and minimises the risk of choking.
She further advised the caregivers to adjust food textures based on the child’s ability to chew and swallow.
“Children with cerebral palsy experience muscle control challenges, soft or mashed foods may be safer. If possible, a caregiver can mash or blend the food.
For children with autism, they may have sensory sensitivities to certain textures, temperatures or colours of food requiring patience and gradual introduction of new meals. The children can be allowed to participate in feeding according to their ability like holding a spoon, touching food or self-feeding with support. With the right support and adaptive feeding tools, feeding can become safer and more independent for both the child and caregiver,” noted D’Amico.
Present at the event was Head of Rehabilitation Services, Kericho County Referral Hospital, Mrs Milka Washuma, a nutritionist based at AIC Litein Mission Hospital Gloria Koskei, representatives from the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) a faith-based organisation; and teachers and pupils from Kipchimchim Comprehensive and Special Unit School, among other invited guests.
The carers were drawn from the six sub-counties in Kericho County notably Ainamoi, Bureti, Belgut, Londiani, Soin/Sigowet and Kipkelion sub-counties.
By Sarah Njagi
