What is Dysphagia?
Presented by: Christin R. Dowd
LISD Speech-Language Pathologist
03/02/04
Dysphagia and Feeding Strategies




Anatomy
Facts to consider
Signs and Symptoms
Strategies for feeding
Anatomy







Lips
Teeth
Tongue
Palate/Velum
Epiglottis
Trachea
Esophagus
Fact to consider






7 muscles just to initiate a swallow
Is there silent aspiration?
Gravity
Positioning
Consistency
Oral defensiveness
Signs and Symptoms of
Aspiration








Choking/turning blue
Coughing during intake
Gurgly voice quality
Drooling
Pocketing of food
Food Left over in oral cavity after a meal
Frequent bronchitis/pneumonia
Adam’s Apple Test
Feeding Strategies
Lets make eating fun!





Chin tuck
Positioning
Bolus size
Thickening Liquids
Tongue thrust strategies