Dysphagia Management

Mealtimes should be safe, nourishing, and as enjoyable as possible, for every child. But for children living with cerebral palsy (CP), traumatic brain injury (TBI), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or other neurodevelopmental conditions, swallowing can be a hidden challenge that affects health, growth, and quality of life. This blog article is for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and families working together to make feeding safer and more successful. Why Swallowing Can Be

As a Speech-Language Pathologist, one of the questions I hear most often from families is: "What can we actually do at mealtimes to help?" If your child or loved one has been diagnosed with a swallowing disorder, also known as dysphagia, you already know that mealtimes can feel stressful. The good news is that there are simple, practical swallowing strategies you can use every day, at home and at school, to make eating safer and more enjoyable for everyone at the table. T

As speech-language pathologists, we occupy a unique and critical role on the pediatric dysphagia team. Whether working in the NICU, an outpatient clinic, a school, or a home health setting, the ability to accurately assess and effectively treat swallowing disorders in children can be the difference between a child who thrives and one who faces repeated hospitalizations. This post walks through the core assessment and treatment tools every pediatric SLP should consider having