As a parent, ensuring that your child is well-nourished and thriving is one of the most fundamental and heartfelt responsibilities you carry. If your child has feeding difficulties, it can be a stressful and emotional experience. With so many professionals claiming expertise in feeding, it can be confusing to know who to turn to. One type of specialist stands out— the speech and language therapist (SLT) who specialises in paediatric dysphagia.
What is Paediatric Dysphagia?
Paediatric dysphagia refers to feeding and swallowing difficulties in children, from newborns to adolescents. These challenges may stem from a variety of underlying causes, such as prematurity, developmental delays, congenital conditions, or neurological disorders. For many parents, discovering that their child struggles with eating or drinking safely can be overwhelming. This is where the expertise of a speech and language therapist becomes invaluable.
Why Choose a Speech and Language Therapist Specialising in Feeding?
1. Holistic Understanding of Swallowing Mechanisms
SLTs have specialised training in the anatomy and physiology of swallowing, a complex process that requires the coordination of many systems within the body. Feeding is more than just eating; it’s about how food and liquid move safely from the mouth to the stomach without causing harm. SLTs are uniquely qualified to assess how all aspects of the child’s oropharyngeal system (mouth, throat, and related muscles) work together during feeding. This in-depth understanding ensures that the root cause of the feeding issue is addressed, not just the symptoms.
2. Individualised and Family-Centred Care
Every child is different, and so are their feeding challenges. SLTs are trained to look at the whole child, considering both medical and developmental factors, as well as emotional and behavioural components that may impact feeding. We work closely with families to develop a plan that not only supports the child’s feeding skills but also empowers parents with practical strategies to use at home. This collaborative approach ensures that the family feels supported and that the child’s needs are met in a way that fits their unique circumstances.
3. Addressing Feeding Aversion and Sensory Needs
Children with feeding difficulties often experience a range of emotional responses, including anxiety or aversion around eating. SLTs are well-equipped to address the sensory and psychological aspects of feeding, helping children gradually build positive associations with food. This might involve working through oral sensitivities, aversions to textures, or difficulties with self-feeding. By focusing on both the physical and emotional aspects of feeding, SLTs create a balanced approach to helping children develop more positive and functional feeding behaviours.
4. Specialised Assessment Tools: Cervical Auscultation and Referrals for Further Testing
SLTs use a variety of non-invasive assessment tools to evaluate swallowing function. One such tool is cervical auscultation, a technique that involves listening to the sounds of swallowing through a stethoscope placed on the neck. This allows us to detect any abnormal sounds that may indicate issues with swallowing safety or efficiency, such as delayed or incomplete swallows.
However, cervical auscultation is just one part of the puzzle. SLTs have the expertise to recognise when more in-depth diagnostic testing is needed, such as a video fluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) or fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). These tests provide detailed, real-time imaging of the swallowing process, which can reveal problems that aren’t detectable through clinical observation alone. Knowing when to refer a child for these tests is a crucial part of ensuring their safety during feeding. By relying on the SLT’s judgement, parents can feel confident that their child’s swallowing difficulties are being thoroughly assessed and managed.
5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
SLTs often work as part of a wider healthcare team, collaborating with other professionals like dietitians, occupational therapists, and paediatricians. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that all aspects of your child’s health are considered. As the feeding specialist, the SLT coordinates care with other experts, ensuring that your child receives comprehensive, well-rounded support.
6. Long-Term Support and Follow-Up
Feeding and swallowing are lifelong skills that evolve as children grow. Whether your child’s feeding issue resolves quickly or requires longer-term management, SLTs provide ongoing support to ensure that progress is monitored and adjustments are made as necessary. Our goal is to build a strong foundation for your child’s eating habits, with their future well-being in mind.
Empathy and Expertise Go Hand in Hand
The journey to overcoming feeding difficulties is not always straightforward, but with the right support, it can be a positive and transformative experience. As a parent, you want to make sure you’re doing the best for your child, and choosing a paediatric speech and language therapist specialising in dysphagia offers both the technical expertise and empathetic care needed to navigate this challenge.
We understand how stressful feeding difficulties can be, and we’re here to provide the guidance, reassurance, and expert care your child needs to thrive. Trust in the specialised knowledge of an SLT, and together, we can help your child achieve safe and enjoyable feeding experiences.
Key Points Summary
SLTs have a deep understanding of the anatomy and physiology of swallowing, allowing them to identify the root cause of feeding difficulties.
We provide individualised, family-centred care that supports both the child and parents with practical feeding strategies.
SLTs can address both the physical and emotional aspects of feeding, including sensory issues and feeding aversions.
We use specialised tools such as cervical auscultation and know when to refer for further testing, like VFSS and FEES.
SLTs work collaboratively with other professionals to ensure comprehensive care for your child.
Ongoing support is available to help your child build safe and enjoyable feeding habits over time.
If you're struggling with your baby or child's feeding difficulties please don't sit on it, the sooner we can get going on improving things the better!
References
1. Arvedson, J. C., & Brodsky, L. (2002). Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding: Assessment and Management. Singular Publishing Group.
2. Lefton-Greif, M. A., & McGrattan, K. E. (2020). Pediatric Dysphagia: Challenges and Controversies. In Seminars in Speech and Language, 41(1), 5-8.
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2021). Dysphagia in children and young people with learning disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk
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