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[Dysphagia] gum chewing and Profound MR


  • Subject: [Dysphagia] gum chewing and Profound MR
  • From: JSilverman at dhmh.state.md.us (Jill Silverman)
  • Date: Wed May 12 06:31:46 2004

Hi All...I need some advice.  I work in an ICF/MR for adults and I have just been instructed (by Senior Management) to complete trials of gum chewing with a 40-something Profoundly MR individual with an extremely high incidence of aggression, biting Staff and self, PICA, etc...
Individual presents no overt dysphagia and is presently on a Regular consistency with thin liquids without signs and symptoms of penetration/aspiration; however, I am quite uncomfortable providing him gum when other "chewys" are safer and constructed solely for this purpose of redirecting biting and chewing.  Can anyone offer suggestions or refer me to any literature?  Respectfully, Jill Silverman



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