Dysphagia resources

Help patients understand why using a straw is not automatically safe or unsafe for swallowing. This handout explains how straw placement, sip size, and a person’s swallowing pattern can affect swallowing safety, making it a useful tool for individualized dysphagia education.

Help patients understand what epiglottic inversion is, why it matters for swallowing safety, and what it may mean when a swallow study shows reduced, incomplete, or absent inversion. This handout explains the relationship between epiglottic movement and swallowing function in clear, patient-friendly language, making it easier to discuss findings and treatment recommendations during dysphagia therapy.

Help patients understand how vocal fold paralysis can impact swallowing with clear visuals and accessible explanations of airway protection during swallowing. This handout explains how the epiglottis, vocal folds, and other swallowing structures work together to support swallowing safety and why dysphagia severity can vary from person to person.

Help patients and families better understand penetration, aspiration, and silent aspiration using accessible language and supportive visual explanations. This handout is designed to support conversations about swallowing safety, symptom awareness, and how speech therapy can help.

This handout provides clear explanations of what pharyngeal residue looks and feels like to help patients visualize their swallow mechanics. It serves as a practical education tool for reinforcing real-time clearing strategies.

This handout helps people understand the benefits and risks of thickened liquids, including hydration and UTI considerations. Use it to support informed, values-based decisions rather than default recommendations.