Dysphagia and Feeding for Speech-Language Pathologists in the Schools: A Team Approach

Abstract

Introduction: Many more children are surviving premature birth and complex medical diagnoses than in the past. Children with autism and genetic disorders are being diagnosed more effectively. These children are now in our school systems and may have complicated special education needs, including dysphagia and feeding issues. The school speechlanguage pathologist (SLP) should take the lead in building a team approach to swallowing and feeding issues. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to empower the school SLP to collaborate with other professionals essential to assessing and treating feeding and swallowing disorders to develop a dysphagia/feeding team and to provide specific achievable goals in this endeavor for assessment, reporting, and training staff and families. Conclusions: The SLP should take advantage of the many opportunities to educate and collaborate with our team and the public about our many roles, including dysphagia. Dysphagia is not just a medical issue; it is a life, legal, and learning issue for children and staff, and there is a crucial need for the SLP to develop and lead the dysphagia/feeding team in our schools.