This resource is a checklist that clinicians may use to help determine which swallow instrumentation is best suitable for their patients. Clinicians may also use this as a resource when inservicing other disciplines on swallow instrumentation, or when communicating with patients and families about assessment options.
This visual provides a clear pathway from taking a bite, chewing the food, and swallowing, with a blank space to put a special reward that the child is working towards during therapy or at home.
This handout visually describes the proper positioning for comfort/safety, trunk/abdomen/back, table/tray, head/neck, and pelvis/legs/feet specifically for children with neurological disorders. This handout is targeted for therapists, parents, and caregivers.
This intervention handout includes information regarding how messy play can help address sensory issues related to picky eating and includes a basic recipe for play-dough that can be used in sensory play activities.
This handout is based on the course: Feeding Babies from Birth-12 Months presented by Allison Stamm, MA, CCC-SLP. The handout covers anatomical differences of preemie babies vs full-term babies, anatomical differences between infant vs older child, and bottle/breast issues + strategies.
Mouth-breathing is a maladaptive, compensatory behavior. Human facial anatomy was designed for breathing to occur through the nose. The nasal cavity filters the air we breathe, and allows airflow into the body for proper craniofacial development. The harmful effects of mouth-breathing in children are becoming more well-understood. This handout provides a brief overview of information for caregivers, parents, therapists, and other professionals regarding how mouth-breathing can affect multiple facets of development.
This resource provides caregivers and clinicians information about swallow development, including anatomy and physiology development from infancy to toddlerhood. The handout also outlines specifically how the pediatric swallow anatomy is not just a smaller version of adult anatomy and how these anatomical differences can impact dysphagia for the pediatric population.
Clinicians typically use a variety of techniques and strategies to help children overcome fears of new or non-preferred foods. Each child is different and will need a unique approach based on their responsiveness to what is trialed in therapy. One for children with sensory-behavioral issues is to pair preferred foods with non-preferred items. This handout is especially helpful in understanding specific ways to use this approach across settings.