Pediatric Dysphagia: Establishing the Brain-Mouth-Gut Connection

CPD

Handouts

Speaker

Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP Related seminars and products

---

MICHELLE DAWSON, MS, CCC-SLP, has worked as an SLP for over 10 years in a variety of settings. She has served in public schools, in-patient and out-patient rehabilitative hospitals, and spent many years in early intervention. She specializes in treating medically fragile pediatric patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia and feeding disorders. Michelle is president of the South Carolina Speech Hearing Association (SCSHA). She runs her own private practice, HeartWood Speech Therapy, and guest lectures throughout South Carolina on a variety of topics, including dysphagia management for infantile spasms and sensory integration from an SLP’s perspective. She is working on her BCS-S licensure. Michelle earned her MS in communicative sciences and disorders from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Treating feeding and swallowing disorders across the life span is her first love as an SLP. 

 

Speaker Disclosures:  

Financial:  Michelle Dawson has an employment relationship with HeartWood Speech Therapy, LLC. She receives a royalty from SpeechTherapyPD.com; and for First Bite: Fed Fun and Functional PodCast. Ms. Dawson receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.  She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.

Non-financial:  Michelle Dawson is president of South Carolina Speech Hearing Association (SCSHA); and Council of State Association Presidents (CSAP) treasurer. 

     

Objectives

1. Describe typical development and interaction of respiration, swallowing, and digestion, and how neurologic deficits/trauma can cause disruptions.
2. Discuss typical development of reflexes related to PO intake and describe how NPO status can disrupt integration of these vital reflexes.
3. Discuss 4 common pediatric medical diagnoses, (Down Syndrome, ASD, Epilepsy, GERD), and how they can lead to an oropharyngeal dysphagia.
4. Describe different types of feeding tubes and the adverse impact they have on development of the brain-mouth-gut connection.
5. Examine 5 therapeutic interventions to re-establish the brain-mouth-gut connection.
6. Describe functional feeding strategies that are SES (socio-economic-status) friendly for the home-health pediatric patient on your caseload.

Outline

• How multiple systems are connected
• Development of Innovation of the systems
• Common medical breakdowns in patients

• Progression of typical sucking patterns
• Progression of typical chewing patters
• Impact of feeding tubes on integration of reflexes

• How specific diagnoses and treatments can lead to oropharyngeal dysphagia
• When to make referrals to specialists and why

• Types, locations, implications of feeding tubes
• Disruption to digestion process and nourishment

• Approaches focused on patient access to ADLs
• Special consideration for cultural factors & socioeconomic barriers
• Treatment and strategies for home/health base clinicians
• Interactive Activities – mini breakouts
• Video case examples of interventions and patient/family perspectives

• 2.5 year old S/P - grade 4, grade 3, grade 2 bleed(s) with an g-tube
• 15 month old exclusively breast fed with diagnosis of EOE (Eosinophilic Esophagitis) and new feeding tube
• 5 year old with autism spectrum disorder – tube fed from 6 months, post cardiac surgery
• Follow the case history of a 3 month old-4year old with esophageal atresia S/P surgical repair and a g/j tube
• Case Studies from participants

Target Audience

• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
• Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Pediatric Nurses
• Educators
• Dietitians
• Case Managers
• Nurse Practitioners

Reviews