Developmental Disabilities: Case Study
STEP 1:NUTRITION ASSESSMENT
Client History
Food/Nutrition related history
Biomechanical Data, Medical tests and
Procedures
Anthropometric Measurements
Nutrition Focused physical findings
Comparative Standards
STEP 2: NUTRITION DIAGNOSIS
Domain Intake
Nutrition Problems
PES statement
Age: 25
Living Situation: She lives in an institution with 24
hour assistance.
Patient medical history: Lennox Gastraut
syndrome w/ epilepsy a cortical dyskinesia with
profound developmental disability. Spastic
tetraplegia, tonic, myoclonic, complex partial
seizure, atypical absence seizure, daily attacks
Admitted to ICU with pneumonia
Food Intake: 1 cup shredded wheat with
skimmed milk. Two slices of bread with no crust,
1tbsp peanut butter, 1 tsp of jelly. 4 oz of yogurt.
1 slice of bread with no crust, 1 tsp of butter.
2 potatoes and 1 carrot mashed together or
pasta with canned chicken and butter
24 oz of water or juice per day
Energy Intake: 800-1000 kcal per day
Avoidance behaviors: History of reduced ability to
food intake, attempted nasogastric feeding, but
failed due to tube withdraw.
Electrolyte and renal profile
Nutritional Anemia Profile
Weight: 75 pounds
Height: 4’8”
BMI: 17
 Her appearance indicates a loss of muscle
mass and subcutaneous fat
 Unable to speak
 Recently lost two pounds
Estimated Energy Needs: 1200 kcal per day and
1200-1400 mL per day of fluid
Clinical Behavioral/Environmental Other
 Inadequate energy intake
 Limited food acceptance
 Underweight
 Chronic disease/ condition related malnutrition
1. Inadequate energy intake related to limited food
acceptance as evidence by consuming
approximately 35% less than recommended
energy intake
 2. Inadequate oral intake related to chronic disease.
Condition related malnutrition as evidenced by
nasogastric tube withdraw and unintentional
weight loss of 2 pounds in a week.

Step 3: Nutrition Intervention

Domain Food and Nutrition Education Nutrition Counseling Coordination of

Nutrient nutrition care by a
Delivery nutrition
professional
Nutrition prescription 1. A high fat, low carbohydrate diet is
prescribed
Nutrition Intervention plan