Understanding Dysphagia
All things Dysphagia through the lifecycle.
We found 3 episodes of Understanding Dysphagia with the tag “feeding”.
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Episode 8: Aerodigestive Tract Disorders
June 26th, 2021 | 59 mins 42 secs
dysphagia, feeding, medical speech pathology, nicu, pediatric dysphagia, speech pathologist, speech therapy
Guest: Dr. Raquel Garcia - As SLPs, it is so important that we maintain a spirit of continual learning, and today's guest, Dr. Raquel Garcia, is an exemplary example of a life-long learner. She is a trained craniofacial speech-language pathologist and works at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, where she is a core member of the craniofacial team. Raquel works in the acute care setting in the neonatal
intensive care unit and pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. In this episode, Raquel talks about
her journey to becoming an SLP and how she found her current niche. We dive into a range of
infant airway disorders, where Raquel thoroughly guides us through what we should be looking
out for. While it may appear overwhelming, Raquel is gifted at explaining complicated concepts
in a digestible, accessible manner. Our conversation also touches on the importance of
authentically connecting with other practitioners, the power of remembering our why, and
understanding the key role that the community SLP plays in helping patients and their families
overcome their difficulties. Raquel's passion for her craft is truly inspiring, so tune in to hear it
all! -
Episode 5: Pediatric Feeding Disorders
June 17th, 2021 | 1 hr 7 mins
dysphagia, early intervention, feeding, feeding matters, medical speech pathology, pediatric feeding disorder, school slp, speech pathologist, speech therapy, swallowing
Guest: Kristen West, MS, CCC-SLP - Everything is connected within the realm of SLP; nutrition, education, family dynamics, environmental factors, to name but a few. Our guest today works at the intersection of all of these. Her name is Kristen West, and she is an expert on all things related to Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD). One in 37 children under five in the United States struggle with PFDs, and we are thrilled that there is soon to be an ICD 10 code that accurately captures PFDs for the first time. Alongside numerous other roles, Kristen is the Director of Education for the Dysphagia Outreach Project (DOP), and the work she is doing through this organization is what forms the basis of our conversation today. Kristen is passionate about equipping communities with the skills and resources they need in order to ensure the best possible outcomes for children with feeding and swallowing issues. The lack of continuity of care, overarching feeding programs, and funding, make this a difficult task, but Kristen is well prepared for the challenge. Kristen shares with us today what she has learned over many years about bridging the gap between knowledge and action, sharing resources, transition meetings, and the importance of getting everyone on board with the mission to help children who are struggling with PFD’s. Feeding is a paramount life skill, and the interventions that DOP is implementing, are changing lives!
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Episode 1: Dysphagia in the NICU and You
June 3rd, 2021 | 52 mins 21 secs
dysphagia, feeding, medical speech pathology, nicu, pediatric dysphagia, speech pathologist, speech therapy
Guest: Casey Lewis, MS CCC-SLP, CNT, NTMTC - June is Dysphagia Awareness month, and to honor this time, we have decided to do a ten-part mini-series with the Dysphagia Outreach Project. They have brought together some incredible leaders to share their knowledge in hopes of raising awareness about dysphagia across the life continuum. Casey Lewis, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT, CLC, NTMTC, works in the NICU, in the world of swallowing and swallowing breakdown, which is right where it all starts. In today’s episode, Casey sheds light on the development process of suck, swallow, and breathe, and the work that she does. Importantly, Casey understands that her role is to educate and empower parents, staff, and families so that they can all help the babies in the best way possible. We talk about the steps Casey takes in her interventions, some of the tools she uses, like bottles and pacifiers, and the outcomes she hopes to see. Another vital part of working in a NICU is collaborating with other practitioners, and Casey talks about the hard work she has put in to ensure that her voice is heard and respected. Sometimes, we get caught up in our own bubbles, and we forget that we all simply want the best for our patients. Casey reminds us of just how important it is to reconnect with our why.