Many children with developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy struggle with eating and getting proper nutrition, but these problems often go unnoticed. A new review of 40 studies found that between one-third and four-fifths of children with developmental disabilities experience feeding difficulties. These can range from trouble swallowing to refusing certain foods. The good news? A step-by-step approach involving doctors, therapists, and nutritionists can significantly help. Early detection and proper treatment can improve these children’s health, growth, and quality of life.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How common feeding and eating problems are in children with developmental disabilities, what causes them, and what treatments work best
  • Who participated: This review looked at 40 different research studies published between 2015 and 2025 that studied children with developmental disabilities, especially those with cerebral palsy
  • Key finding: Between 33-80% of children with developmental disabilities have feeding problems. These problems are often missed by doctors but can be improved with proper assessment and treatment
  • What it means for you: If your child has a developmental disability and struggles with eating, this is a recognized medical condition that can be treated. Getting help early from a team of specialists can make a real difference in your child’s nutrition and development

The Research Details

Researchers searched three major medical databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) for studies published over the past 10 years about feeding problems in children with developmental disabilities. They looked for studies mentioning feeding disorders, swallowing problems, food refusal, and malnutrition in children with conditions like cerebral palsy and other neurological impairments. They found and reviewed 40 different studies to understand the full picture of how common these problems are and what causes them.

This type of review, called a narrative review, allows researchers to gather information from many different studies and explain what the overall evidence shows. Rather than combining numbers from multiple studies, the researchers read through each study and summarized the key findings and patterns they noticed across all of them.

A narrative review is useful for this topic because feeding problems in children with disabilities are complex and involve many different factors—physical, medical, and emotional. By reviewing many studies together, researchers can show the full range of problems these children face and the different ways doctors can help. This type of review is especially good for topics where there isn’t yet enough research to do a more formal statistical analysis.

This review is based on studies published in peer-reviewed journals, meaning other experts checked the research before it was published. The researchers used clear search terms and looked at studies from a 10-year period, which helps ensure the information is current. However, because this is a narrative review rather than a statistical analysis, the conclusions are based on the researchers’ interpretation of the studies rather than combined numerical data. The quality depends on the individual studies reviewed, which may have varied in their methods and rigor.

What the Results Show

The review found that feeding problems are extremely common in children with developmental disabilities, affecting between one-third and four-fifths of these children. This is a much higher rate than in typically developing children. The problems take many different forms, including difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), trouble moving food safely from the mouth to the stomach, acid reflux from the stomach, constipation, and refusing to eat certain foods.

The causes of these feeding problems are varied and often multiple. Physical and neurological issues—like weak muscles needed for chewing and swallowing—are common in children with cerebral palsy and similar conditions. Sensory problems also play a big role; some children are overly sensitive to textures, tastes, or temperatures of foods. Medical issues like acid reflux can make eating painful. Additionally, social and cultural factors, like family stress or limited access to appropriate foods, can make feeding problems worse.

The review emphasizes that many of these feeding problems go undiagnosed or untreated. Children may be labeled as “picky eaters” when they actually have a medical condition affecting their ability to eat safely and get proper nutrition. This lack of recognition means many children don’t receive the help they need.

The review identified several important secondary findings. First, malnutrition and poor growth are common consequences of undiagnosed feeding disorders in children with developmental disabilities. Second, feeding problems can significantly impact a child’s overall development and quality of life. Third, the review found that a systematic, team-based approach works best—involving pediatricians, speech therapists, nutritionists, and other specialists working together. Fourth, the review noted that early recognition and intervention are critical; catching these problems early leads to better outcomes.

This review updates and expands on previous research by looking at the most recent 10 years of studies (2015-2025). It confirms what earlier research suggested—that feeding problems are very common in children with developmental disabilities—but provides a more comprehensive picture of the different types of problems and their causes. The review also emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, which reflects a shift in how medical professionals now think about treating these complex problems.

This review has several limitations to keep in mind. First, it’s a narrative review, meaning the researchers summarized studies rather than combining data statistically, so the conclusions are somewhat subjective. Second, the studies reviewed likely varied in quality and methods, which could affect the reliability of the overall findings. Third, the review focused mainly on children with cerebral palsy and similar neurological conditions, so the findings may not apply equally to all types of developmental disabilities. Fourth, the review doesn’t provide specific information about which treatments work best for which types of feeding problems. Finally, most of the research likely comes from developed countries, so the findings may not fully apply to children in other parts of the world with different healthcare systems and resources.

The Bottom Line

Parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities should: (1) Watch for signs of feeding difficulties, including coughing during meals, refusing foods, slow eating, or poor weight gain—these warrant professional evaluation. (2) Seek evaluation from a multidisciplinary team including a pediatrician, speech-language pathologist, and nutritionist if feeding problems are suspected. (3) Work with specialists to develop a feeding plan tailored to your child’s specific needs. (4) Consider early intervention services if your child is young. These recommendations are supported by strong evidence from multiple studies (high confidence level).

Parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, especially cerebral palsy, should pay close attention to these findings. Teachers and school staff who work with these children should also be aware. Healthcare providers including pediatricians, therapists, and nutritionists should use this information to improve screening and early detection. Children without developmental disabilities typically don’t need to worry about these specific feeding disorders, though some of the general principles about nutrition still apply.

Improvements in feeding can happen relatively quickly with proper intervention—some children show better eating within weeks to a few months of starting treatment. However, significant improvements in nutrition and growth may take several months to a year. The timeline depends on the severity of the problem and how quickly treatment is started. Early intervention (starting before age 3) typically leads to faster and better outcomes than waiting until children are older.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake by type (soft foods, crunchy foods, liquids) and amount consumed, plus any feeding difficulties observed (coughing, refusal, time spent eating). Also monitor weight and growth monthly if possible, and note any changes in symptoms like constipation or reflux.
  • Use the app to set reminders for feeding therapy exercises recommended by your child’s speech therapist. Log which foods your child tolerates well and which cause problems. Share this data with your healthcare team to help them adjust your child’s feeding plan.
  • Create a long-term feeding progress chart in the app tracking: (1) variety of foods tolerated, (2) amount eaten per meal, (3) weight/growth measurements, (4) frequency of feeding-related symptoms, and (5) completion of recommended therapy exercises. Review trends monthly with your healthcare provider to adjust the treatment plan as needed.

This review summarizes research findings and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you suspect your child has a feeding disorder or malnutrition, consult with your pediatrician or a feeding specialist for proper evaluation and treatment. The findings in this review are based on research studies and may not apply to every individual child. Treatment plans should be personalized based on your child’s specific condition, medical history, and needs. Always work with qualified healthcare professionals when addressing feeding concerns in children with developmental disabilities.