How effective are treatments for feeding and swallowing disorders?
ASHA produced a treatment efficacy summary on pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders [PDF] that describes evidence about how well treatment works. This summary is useful not only to individuals with feeding and swallowing disorders and their caregivers but also to insurance companies considering payment for much needed services for feeding and swallowing disorders.
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What does a speech-language pathologist do when working with children with feeding and swallowing disorders?
ASHA has developed a number of documents about the role of the SLP in working with individuals with feeding and swallowing disorders. These include the following:
It is ASHA's position that "speech-language pathologists play a primary role in the evaluation and treatment of infants, children, and adults with swallowing and feeding disorders." Working with children with feeding and swallowing disorders requires specialized knowledge and skills to best meet the needs of this population.
In addition, documents about the role of the SLP in videofluoroscopy and endoscopic evaluations of swallowing exist and discuss issues specific to infants and children. These documents include the following:
The Preferred Practice Patterns for the Profession of Speech-Language Pathology outline the common practices followed by SLPs when engaging in various aspects of the profession. The Preferred Practice Patterns for swallowing and feeding assessment and intervention are outlined in Sections 40 and 41.
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See Also:
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Children
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders: Causes and Number
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