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DISCLAIMER:
Whilst all care is taken to provide accurate information with respect to the item described, the Independent Living Centre (ILC) is not involved in product design or manufacture, and therefore not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Selection of equipment, which is both suitable and appropriate for individual needs remains the responsibility of the person(s) considering requisition, and no responsibility is taken by the ILC for any loss or injury caused through use of the equipment or alleged to have arisen through reliance upon information provided. As information is subject to change any enquiries should be directed to the manufacturer.
Item Details
A Guide To Selecting Children's Cutlery
ILC Reference NO 31:12:015
Item sourced from ILC WA database
Short Description
Utensils should be chosen so that they allow the child to be as actively involved in the activity as possible, whilst still maintaining adequate nutrition. A clear idea of the objective of the activity must be decided before the product is chosen. Is the focus social, therapeutic or nutritional? This is a guide only.
Price Guide
Refer to supplier details for pricing
More Details
Handles
Size - Choose a spoon / handle size / length that is appropriate. Small children may benefit from using a shorter handle. If using commercially prepared food from a jar a longer handle may be better.
Weight - Weighted handles can be useful for those with tremor and ataxia. Ultra light (feather light) cutlery is available with an average weight of 48gm.
Customised - Consider customising handles with 'Pimbo clay', 'Allfit' or 'thermo pellets'.
Grips - Consider soft, slip resistant handles like the 'Good grip 'range of cutlery and appliances. Comfort grips have a vinyl coating with finger placement indentations to give a physical prompt for finger placement.
Spoons
If the helper is using a spoon, present the food to the mid line of the tongue. This will facilitate the tongue to collect the food and then trigger a swallow.
Material - Metal spoons should not be used with children with a bite reflex.
Safety - Do not use a spoon that could splinter. Spoons used in fast food chains with ice cream are dangerous for children with a bite reflex and should not be used. Covered spoons or horn spoons are available for children who are hypersensitive to temperature or have a bite reflex.
Size - The bowl of the spoon should be an appropriate size for the child's mouth.
Shape - Deeper spoons need greater lip control. Shallow spoons are easier to get food off the spoon with the upper lip.
Technique - Do not scrape the food off the spoon with the top teeth.
Fork
Place solid food between the back teeth with a fork. This saves the child having to move the food across the mouth with the tongue, particularly if they lack tongue control.
Material - Choose an appropriate material for the fork to be made of (as notes for spoons)
Size - Choose a fork that is a suitable size for the client. Consider how sharp the prongs on the fork are.
Special / customised option - A range of swivel counterbalanced cutlery is available. Consider a left or right handed 'Splayd'.
Knife
Alternative shape and handles - Consider using a 'rocker knife' for those with limited or weak grasp. Consider angled 'ergonomic' cutlery to reduce strain on the wrist.
Plates and Bowls
Thermal - Consider the material that the plate is made of. Thermal dishes are helpful for slow eaters.
Shape - Asymmetrical scoop plates are useful for those with poor coordination as they can help stabilise the food against the higher side of the plate. Having an inner lip on the plate can assist in stabilising the food to allow the child to get the food on the fork. Divided plates allow foods to be kept separate on the plate. The walls of the divisions allow some stabilising of the food. Some plates have a spoon guide to help guide and coordinate.
Australian And Other Standards
For some types of equipment, specific Australian Standards are applicable to the materials used in, and the manufacturing processes applied to products. Purchasers are advised to check with the supplier or manufacturer of this item as to its compliance with the relevant Australian Standards. Stated compliance with a Standard does not guarantee that the product has been tested against that Standard.
Supplier Information - click to supplier for contacts details
IDEA ONLY,
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Additional /images
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