[DYSPHAGIA] Isolated Chewing Difficulty

[SuzMorris@aol.com (SuzMorris@aol.com)]

A close friend of mine recently shared an unusual feeding pattern that 
she has experienced.  She is a 50 year old adult who has no other issues 
and is a very skilled and coordinated massage therapist.   She describes 
herself as always having had some difficulties getting oral-motor 
planning together for chewing.  She has been a very slow eater and 
describes herself as having to think about how she moves the food in her 
mouth rather than experiencing a smooth automatic flow to her chewing, 
bolus collection and swallowing.

Until recently this has not created any difficulties for her other than 
"always being the last one at the table to finish a meal".    During the 
past month, however, the problem has gradually increased. . .to the point 
where eating food that requires chewing is more trouble than it is worth 
and she really can't get enough calories from the food she chews before 
she is exhausted.   She has shifted to a blenderized diet which she can 
handle very easily.  She is a very easy-going person who is not upset by 
the current situation, but hopes that things will get better over time.

This sounds more like an apraxic/motor planning issue rather than a 
muscle strength and coordination issue.   All other aspects of oral-motor 
function and speech are just fine.  

Is it possible to have a very circumscribed motor planning problem for 
chewing without any other neurological symptoms?

If so, what causes this and why could she be experiencing a deterioration 
in this function now?

What can she do to help things get better?  What general direction would 
you take? 

My work is entirely in pediatrics and typically when we see apraxia-like 
symptoms in learning to chew there are sensory integration issues with 
the kids. . .which is definitely not the case here.

Thanks,

Suzanne Morris
New Visions
http://www.new-vis.com
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