| Description |
Challenges with infants and children demonstrating complex feeding and swallowing disorders are addressed in a holistic evidence based framework that takes into account interrelating systems. Populations range from newborn infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through children in school based & rehabilitation settings. Problem solving will be addressed through lecture, videos, and case analyses. Functional outcomes are emphasized through targeted strategies based on sensorimotor learning principles and neural plasticity. Problem areas include: airway (e.g., laryngomalacia, laryngeal cleft, vocal fold paralysis, tracheostomy/ventilator); GI tract (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux and eosinophilic esophagitis); nutrition/hydration; advancing feeding in NICU and beyond to include tongue & lip tie; tube feeding & weaning; barriers to oral feeding & ways to overcome; picky/finicky eaters. Discussions will include the urgent need for specific outcomes and possible measures of frequency and intensity of direct and indirect interventions.
|