“The best practice for swallowing is swallowing” – Dysphagia in Children and Adults

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Swallowing Evaluation and Rehabilitation

Check my other post:
Dysphagia - Feeding & Swallowing Disorders in Infants & Children

http://slpzone.blogspot.com/2012/05/feeding-and-swallowing-disorders-in.html    

Dysphagia and Swallowing Therapy and Treatment, Diet and Liquid Consistency

http://slpzone.blogspot.com/2012/04/dysphagia-and-swallowing-therapy-and.html

 

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I refreshed my knowledge about Dysphagia by viewing ASHA webinars:

“Elements of a Comprehensive Clinical Dysphagia Evaluation presented” by Joseph Murray, PhD, CCC-SLP

“Impact of Impaired Antomy and Physiology on Treatment of Dysphagia in Adults” presented by Nancy B. Swigeret, MA CCC-SLP, BCS-S

“Dysphagia Intervention: Planning and Implementation” presented by Nancy B. Swigeret, MA CCC-SLP, BCS-S

“Theoretical Basis of Exercise and Treatment of Dysphagia” Nancy B. Swigeret, MA CCC-SLP, BCS-S

 

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What is normal swallowing?

Normal swallowing consists of a set of physiologic behaviors which result in food, liquid or other substances moving from the mouth to the pharynx and esophagus while protecting and closing the airway to the stomach. Swallowing is an important part of eating and drinking.

What is swallowing dysfunction?

When the process fails and the bolus is aspirated, this is called swallowing dysfunction or dysphagia. Dysphagic patients may have difficulty with any one or more of the anatomic or physiologic components of the oral, pharyngeal or esophageal stages of the swallow.

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What is a role of swallowing evaluation?

Evaluation of the patient with dysphagia should identify the anatomic or physiologic abnormalities characterizing the patient's swallow and include introduction and assessment of the efficacy of treatment strategies.

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What is the primary goal in the management of swallowing disorders?

The primary goal in the management of swallowing disorders is to ensure safe swallowing. For determination of the appropriate rehabilitative approaches, clinicians should consider the assessment of all symptoms and problems causing dysphagia.

What are tree types of management?

The management of swallowing disorders:

• medical management
• surgical approaches
• rehabilitative approaches.

What are the types of treatment?

Treatment may involve:

• compensatory management, such as postural changes or enhancing sensory input
• rehabilitative management, such as active muscle exercise with or without the introduction of food.

Oral-Motor Exercises

Rules to follow for a success

Try to apply and look for a triumph. Good Luck!

Make exercises fun as much as possible!

Modify environment by minimizing distractions!

Sit behind a child, the way you both face a mirror!

Make sure your child is in comfortable, supported position!

Explain what you are doing in a simple, narrative way!

Provide exercises for short periods of time!

Don’t do all learned exercises at the same session!

Provide exercises before each meal not during a mealtime!

Pause to allow time to swallow any saliva that may have accumulated!

Don’t attempt swallowing if your child has a cold!

Stop if your child becomes distressed at any time!
Be patient!

 

Exercises to develop and improve oral sensitivity and muscle tone

1. First, before you approach the child’s face verbally explain what are you going to do and what for.
2. Use slow, firm strokes over the hands, arms, shoulders, neck with rough texture (e.g. towel, etc.)
3. Next start at the sides of the face, forehead, chin, gradually working towards the centre of the face.
4. Massage the cheeks using circular movements, particularly around the mouth.
5. Using thumb and index finger press the top and bottom lips firmly together. Hold for a while and release.
6. Stroke firmly downwards on the area between the nose and top lip while using your finger to push the bottom lip upwards.
7. Using 2 fingers pull the top lip down, starting under the nose and working towards the top of the lip (without touching the lip itself).
8. Do the same for the bottom lip, working from the chin to the lip. Support the jaw if necessary.
9. Gradually introduce stronger flavors at mealtimes:

a.       Using seasoning (curry, garlic, etc.)

b.      Introducing organic chips of different flavor (vinegar, pepper, etc.) and dips (mayonnaise, ketchup, etc.)

c.       Offering tangy, bitter flavored fruits or yoghurts (kiwi, lemon, grapefruit, cranberry, etc.)

10.  Introduce food of different temperature (ice-cream, popsicles, etc.)

11.  Gradually introduce sensory toys (textured teethers, etc.)

Exercises to develop and improve lip movements

 

1. Child will drink from a cup making very small sips.
2. Child will drink using straw (tight/round lip seal around the straw; straw has to be held just by lips, not deeply.)
3. Child will blow bubbles in the air, bubbles in the water using a straw, cotton wool balls across the table, whistles/party blowers, etc.
4. Child will make /oo/ sounds (imitating a ghost, owl, monkey, wind) and /ee/ sounds, like E-I-E-I-O in Old McDonald song, using exaggerated lip movements. You might need to gently push the lips from a tight stretched position (smile shape) to the round position (kiss shape).
5. Child will blow kisses. (You might need to gently push the lips from a tight stretched position  -smile shape to the round position - kiss shape. Put on some lip stick or face paint and make kiss marks on a mirror, tissue, paper etc.

Exercises to develop and improve jaw and tongue movements

1. When side-spoon-feeding your child, place spoon on the lower lip. Let the child to clean the spoon.
2. Over time place food at the sides of the mouth, between the teeth. This will encourage munching/sideward tongue movements.
3. To stimulate biting, munching and sideward tongue movements.

a.       Do exercises at times when your child is relaxed.

b.      Exercises should not be done at mealtimes.

c.       Place the item in the mouth, between the teeth, along the line of the jaw and ensure that it is not placed so as to stretch the lips. Do not place too far back in case your child gags.

d.      Place on the best side initially, than move to the other side.

e.       If the child is not munching, pull the item out slightly and gently or press down.

f.       When you feel your child is confident about biting skills, introduce food items. Initially use bite-and-dissolve foods (biscuits, snacks, etc.)

g.      If the child is not biting off the food, break it off for them while they are biting down on it. Do not force your child to take foods that their mouth is not ready.

h.      Over time, gradually introduce chewier foods in the same way.