ANIEMEA-P-GB-202600220 | March 2026
Authors:
Denise Kennedy, BSc (Hons), RD
Joanna Mankelow, BSc (Hons), RD
Publish Date:
June 2023 | 59 min
Abstract:
There are a number of different elements to nutrition assessment in children with neurodisabilities. To improve patient outcomes, it is important to develop an individualised feeding plan with the involvement of the child’s family and the multidisciplinary team (MDT). In this course, you will learn the importance of a holistic approach to malnutrition and the importance of fibre in children with neurological impairment in clinical practice.
Once you have watched this video, please remember to complete your self-reflective notes to contribute towards your continuing professional development. You will then be able to access your Certificate of Completion.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe neurodisability and recognise the range of diagnoses and functional challenges that may affect nutritional status in children.
Apply a holistic nutritional assessment using multiple measures to build a complete picture of a child with neurodisability, including consideration of fibre needs, constipation management, appropriate feed selection, and ongoing adjustment of the nutritional plan to optimise well-being.
Understand the roles of the community-based MDT, with particular focus on the dietitian’s contribution to assessing, managing, and supporting nutrition in children with neurological impairment.
AUTHOR(S) BIO
DENISE KENNEDY, BSC (HONS), RD
Senior Paediatric Dietitian, First Community Health & Care, Surrey
Denise is a children’s dietitian and jointly leads the paediatric team in First Community Health and Care. She has over 15 years of clinical dietetic experience and over 35 years of experience working in nutrition. In addition to regular outpatient clinics, she works with a large group of children and young people with complex needs, including genetic conditions, and physical and learning disabilities, many of whom require tube feeding.
Denise has a strong interest in fighting for the nutritional needs of these children to be recognised and met, working together with families in a way that meets their wishes and needs whilst also meeting the requirements of the child. Denise has an interest in blended diets and was part of the British Dietetic Association working group on Blended Diets, and a member of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) working group for the position paper on Blended Diets published in January 2023.
Denise is currently chair of DISC – Dietitians Interested in Special Children – an informal group of dietitians working with children with neurological impairment in the community.
JOANNA MANKELOW, BSC (HONS), RD
Senior Paediatric Dietitian, First Community Health & Care, Surrey
Joanna is a senior children’s dietitian and jointly leads the paediatric team in First Community Health and Care. She has 24 years of clinical dietetic experience, 23 years of which have been in paediatric dietetics, mostly in community roles. She currently has a large caseload of children with complex needs, many of whom are tube fed. They have varied conditions including syndromes and genetic conditions, physical and intellectual disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions, and complex feeding disorders including ARFID.
Joanna has an interest in ARFID and complex feeding and is involved with a local Autism charity to provide education sessions for families and professionals. She has also run educational sessions for the West Sussex Parent and Carers forum on ARFID and has been involved in discussions around re-designing local services to provide an ARFID care pathway. She is currently looking to create an ARFID pathway for her dietetic team. She is involved in a nursing-led Critical Appraisal Topic (CAT) Group on nasogastric tube feeding when pH > 5.5, developing a clinical paper and pathway for managing these patients safely and more effectively.
