Assessment Process

The assessment involves clinical observations, swallowing tests, and collaboration with medical professionals such as otolaryngologists and gastroenterologists to evaluate an individual’s swallowing function.

Treatment may include swallowing exercises, dietary adjustments, compensatory strategies, postural modifications, and texture modifications to improve swallowing function and safety.

How to Prevent Swallowing Issues

Preventive measures include maintaining oral hygiene, eating slowly, taking small bites, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding foods that may pose a choking hazard.

Therapeutic Measures by Speech Therapists

Treatment may involve swallowing exercises, dietary adjustments, compensatory strategies, postural modifications, and texture modifications to improve swallowing function and safety.

Speech therapists implement interventions such as swallowing exercises, sensory-motor techniques, dietary adjustments, and strategies to enhance safety and efficiency in swallowing.

If a patient is temporarily unable to eat by mouth (fully reliant on tube feeding), teaching the patient and caregivers:

1. Strategies for safe saliva swallowing (including monitoring signs of aspirational pneumonia).
2. Exercises or sensory facilitation techniques to promote feeding and swallowing performance.
3. Oral hygiene practices.
4. Recording performance and observation points.