Disability: Health Tips For Children With Special Needs

Very often, we read about diet plans for diabetics or obese people. However, we rarely come across the same for ¡°children with special needs¡±. Most of these kids suffer from physical or mental disabilities, so their diet needs to be properly monitored. Deepali Mairal - Dietitian / Nutritionist at Simply Health, lists down simple and essential dietary tips for these children.

1. Modify their diet by giving them food that has different textures and tastes. Also, include liquids like soup and semi-solid foods like puddings.

2. The diet should be suitable for the child. For example, some children have insufficient enzyme activity in their gastrointestinal tracts, resulting in incomplete digestion of the proteins casein and gluten. Casein is found in milk and other dairy products. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, and other grains. Children suffering from phenylketonuria need foods with low levels of phenylalanine.

3. Some diets help reduce the symptoms. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids is important for the maintenance of normal brain function in adults and neural development in infants. Deficiency of DHA is linked to learning problems. DHA is found in salmon. Besides, it is also found in edible algae and green leafy vegetables and is useful in ADD/ADHD. For epilepsy, a ketogenic diet is useful. With higher ketone levels often leading to improved seizure control. Folate and magnesium ,omega-3 and vitamin C is useful in autism.

4. Environment also plays an important role. Mentally challenged persons react favourably when they have to eat in an attractive dining environment with a suitable background. The diet, besides being nutritionally adequate should also look appealing and satisfy the palate.

5. Get the child to engage in specialised breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to improve concentration. Yoga is also advisable, as it increases the body's awareness and strength. But, make sure there is a trainer or someone accompanying them.

6. Malnutrition can worsen physical disabilities. Therefore, nutrition should be assessed and maintained properly. Intakes of healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables and milk can help decrease functional limitations in people with a disability.

7. The rehabilitation, should comprise medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition and psychology, for the proper development of these children.

*Image courtesy: ? Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images