Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Disorders: Assessment and Management, a Clinical Approach

• Setting the stage – the ICF in relation to eating, drinking and swallowing.
• Team Roles and establishing and maintaining competencies in dysphagia practice.
• Review of anatomy and physiology of normal swallowing (pre-reading will be emailed out prior to course)
• Assessment; Relevant history, Oral motor evaluation ( including practical work with partners), Mealtime observation – Case scenarios, video clips, worksheets provided to practice observation skills on a variety of clients; Introduction to using the modified barium swallow study as an assessment tool
• Management; Common management strategies, video clips and case scenarios will be utilized; adapted equipment and resource books will be available
• Ethical Considerations in Dysphagia Practice

At the completion of the workshop, participants will:

• Consider eating, drinking, and swallowing in relation to the individual’s priorities and goals.
• Be able to identify and describe the relevant swallowing structures and their functions.
• Recognize and describe some of the unique differences and issues related to dysphagia in specific population/diagnostic groups.
• Be able to carry out a clinical assessment, including interpretation of relevant history, oral motor examination and mealtime observation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the various tests relevant to dysphagia and describe when these might be indicated.
• Be able to formulate and implement management plans to address identified eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
• Understand and articulate the importance of inter-professional practice in dysphagia management.
• Be able to locate pertinent resources.

• A comprehensive handout
• Anatomy and physiology pre-reading