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Treating feeding and swallowing can be a daunting task. This is an area of speech and language pathology that feels like high stakes, and at the same time is crucial to our students / clients. Our goal for this episode was to empower our fellow SLPs and put some of those fears at ease.

Treatment of feeding and swallowing in schools is so important. Children need to have their nutritional and hydration needs met throughout their day. Addressing swallowing and feeding disorders may be considered educationally relevant and part of the school system’s responsibility to keep the student safe while eating during school and keep the student healthy so they can maximize attendance. Plus, IDEA mandates services for health-related disorders that affect the ability of the student to access educational programs and participate fully.

So what is a school based SLP to do if they don’t feel that feeding and swallowing is part of their scope of practice? Most importantly, don’t let your inner critic prevent you from diving in. Tracey Callahan, MS, CCC-SLP, our special guest and feeding and swallowing go-to, walks us through the ins and outs of a feeding and swallowing evaluation. Plus, we review several ways that you can navigate a better understanding of a recently diagnosed student with a feeding or swallowing issue.

ASHA Professional Development hours are offered for this course (1 certification maintenance hour). Visit our ASHA Professional Development page for more information.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the prevalence of feeding and swallowing disorders and the importance of school SLP involvement

2. Identify different elements of a feeding and swallowing evaluation

3. Identify feeding and swallowing evaluation procedures in a school setting

References

This episode has a long reference list. Find the complete reference list here.

Online Resources

ASHA Resources for Feeding and Swallowing Prevalence: https://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589934965§ion=Incidence_and_Prevalence

ASHA Resources for Feeding and Swallowing Definitions: https://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589934965§ion=Overview

ASHA Resources for Feeding and Swallowing “team” and roles: https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Pediatric-Dysphagia/Dysphagia-Teams/

ASHA Resources for Feeding and Swallowing assessment procedures: https://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589934965§ion=Assessment

ASHA Resources for videofluoroscopic swallow study: https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Pediatric-Dysphagia/Videofluoroscopic-Swallow-Study/

ASHA Resources for fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES): https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Pediatric-Dysphagia/Fiberoptic-Endoscopic-Evaluation-of-Swallowing/

ASHA Resources on interprofessional education/interprofessional practice (IPE/IPP): https://www.asha.org/Practice/Interprofessional-Education-Practice/

ASHA Resources on collaboration and teaming for guidance on successful collaborative service delivery across settings: https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Intellectual-Disability/Collaboration-and-Teaming/

Articles about the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization initiative: https://iddsi.org/

Disclosures:

Financial: Tracey is currently employed in a private practice setting in Boston MA, owns her own practice and is launching a new online learning platform called guest monster games. Kate Grandbois is the owner / founder of Grandbois Therapy + Consulting, LLC and co-founder of SLP Nerdcast. Amy Wonkka is an employee of a public school system and co-founder of SLP Nerdcast.

Non-financial: Tracey is a member of ASHA and the corresponding special interest group for Dysphagia (SIG 13). Kate and Amy are both members of ASHA, SIG 12, and both serve on the AAC Advisory Group for Massachusetts Advocates for Children. Kate is a member of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT), MassABA, the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the corresponding Speech Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis SIG.

Time Ordered Agenda:

10 minutes: Introduction, Disclaimers and Disclosures

20 minutes: Descriptions of feeding and swallowing disorders and the importance of school SLP involvement

15 minutes: Descriptions of elements of a feeding and swallowing evaluation

10 minutes: Description of feeding and swallowing evaluation procedures in a school setting

5 minutes: Summary and Closing

Disclaimer

The contents of this episode are not meant to replace clinical advice. SLP Nerdcast, its hosts and guests do not represent or endorse specific products or procedures mentioned during our episodes unless otherwise stated. We are NOT PhDs, but we do research our material. We do our best to provide a thorough review and fair representation of each topic that we tackle. That being said, it is always likely that there is an article we’ve missed, or another perspective that isn’t shared. If you have something to add to the conversation, please email us! Wed love to hear from you!

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SLP Nerdcast is a podcast for busy SLPs and teachers who need ASHA continuing education credits, CMHs, or professional development. We do the reading so you don’t have to! Leave us a review if you feel so inclined!

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