| Description |
Many children, including those with cerebral palsy, prematurity, and gastro-esophageal reflux disease among others, present us with the special challenges of pediatric swallowing disorders. Too often, the whole child is lost as we struggle to address the myriad of symptoms with which we are presented. Reflux, chronic respiratory infections, poor nutrition and food refusal are just a few of the issues facing clinicians, parents and caregivers—in the clinic, at school, and at home. Management does not consistently take into account the important interplay between oral motor skills, respiration, gastrointestinal functioning, nutrition, and learned behaviors.
This dynamic program will pull all the pieces together for professionals working with children with dysphagia. Beginning with a holistic approach to assessment, including consideration of gastrointestinal issues, postural stability, sensory skills, feeding readiness and including the traditional assessment areas of oral motor and pharyngeal functioning, participants will build the skills necessary to develop a comprehensive management plan. Attendees of this seminar will learn effective interventions in the areas of oral motor skills, nutritional considerations, airway management, and behavior modifications. Ethical considerations specific to the pediatric population and their implications for our practice will
also be discussed.
|