Pediatric Dysphagia Demystified for School Based Speech Language Pathologists

Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) typically are the most qualified professional to address dysphagia in schools. According to ASHA’s 2014 Schools Survey, 13.9 percent of SLPs who responded provide dysphagia services in their school. Nonetheless, this low-incidence disorder has high impact, and even those SLPs who are competent in treating it may feel the need to sharpen their skills in this area. For others, dysphagia may not have been a major part of their preparation and training, so they need to further develop their knowledge and skills. This session will provide the learner with information to help demystify pediatric dysphagia by discussing the complexity of the swallowing stages; focusing on the oral phase; and implementing strategies and tools to improve a child’s overall oral motor skills. School based SLPs will learn information to acquire or broaden their skills, ability, and knowledge to manage feeding and swallowing disorders in the educational setting effectively.

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Presenters

Dionne Walker
MA, CCC-SLP
Dionne Walker is a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist with 25 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin where she received both a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology and Bachelor of Science in Communications Disorders. Dionne is licensed in Texas, Oregon, and California. She is the owner of a private practice located in Houston, Texas. Dionne provides supervision for graduate students as a part-time Clinical Educator at the University of Houston Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic (USLHC) in their community outreach settings. Dionne has expertise in the areas of Oral Motor/Dysphagia and Feeding Issues, Autism, and Pediatric Speech and Language Disorders. She has worked in a variety of settings including schools, online/tele therapy, medical settings, and home health. Dionne has also conducted numerous trainings and workshops with students, parents and other related professionals.

Learning Objectives

Identify physical, motor, sensory, oral-motor, and behavior factors to consider to properly assess swallowing/feeding problems.
Utilize practical treatment strategies to advance children's feeding skills and also improve articulation skills with use of oral motor tasks.
Describe 3 items/tools in the tools of the trade kit that can be used in various settings especially the educational setting.

Agenda

2 minutes	Introduction
3 minutes	Overview of Session/Learning Objectives
10 minutes	Terms of Dysphagia (General & Specific)
15 minutes	Oral Phase (oral motor skills, solids/liquids, articulation skills)
15 minutes	Tools of the Trade (oral motor equipment, cups, spoons, etc.)
15 minutes	Q & A

Disclosures

Speakers - Financial	Dionne has no financial relationships related to the content of course to disclose.
Speakers - Nonfinancial	Dionne has no nonfinancial relationships related to the content of course to disclose.
Course - Financial Support & In Kind	This webinar was funded by our sponsors, SLP Toolkit and SLP Now. We would also like to thank the presenter of this course who has provided her speaking services at no charge.

ASHA

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs, Introductory level, Professional Area, Professional Area