Dysphagia Evaluation and Treatment

What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia means difficulty with one or more of the phases of eating and/or swallowing:

Oral Phase: Food or liquid enters the mouth and is prepared for swallowing

Pharyngeal Phase: Food or liquid is transferred back in the throat, past the airway, and to the esophagus

Esophageal Phase: Food or liquid is transported through the esophagus and into the stomach

Signs and Symptoms of Dysphagia

Symptoms of dysphagia can include loss of food/liquid from the mouth or nose, coughing, choking, eye watering, sneezing, and/or discomfort when eating and swallowing.

What does a swallowing assessment include?

For both adults and children, swallowing safety vital to overall health. When food or liquid enters the airway (aspiration), it can cause a lung infection called aspiration pneumonia. Your clinician will assess the structures of the face, mouth, and throat for strength and coordination. You may be offered a variety of food textures to determine if there are specific types of food or liquid that are more difficult than others

Establishing Positive Mealtimes for Infants and Children

Establish family mealtimes and involve children in the preparation and presentation of foods

Expose children to a single food 10-12 times before identifying a preferred or non-preferred food item

Allow a reasonable amount of time for your child to eat, usually around 15-20 minutes

Encourage your child to explore foods with their hands so they can anticipate how it will feel in their mouth

Provide children with postural support and age-appropriate methods of eating to increase the likelihood of participation

What the Northern Colorado Feeding Therapy Team Does

Establishing positive mealtime routines is imperative to fostering a child’s lifelong journey with food. The Northern Colorado Feeding Therapy Team is here to provide support through coordinated, comprehensive evaluation and functional treatment plans.

Foundations for Mealtime Success

Establish family mealtimes and involve children in the preparation and presentation of foods

Expose children to a single food 10-12 times before identifying a preferred or non-preferred food item

Allow a reasonable amount of time for your child to eat, usually around 15-20 minutes

Encourage your child to explore foods with their hands so they can anticipate how it will feel in their mouth

Provide children with postural support and age-appropriate methods of eating to increase the likelihood of participation

When it’s more than “picky eating”…

Our team is experienced in assessment and treatment of dysphagia (eating and swallowing disorder), oral-motor delays and disorders, and sensory-based feeding difficulties. Both adults and children may experience difficulty in these areas:

Icon of an open mouth