Level of instruction: Intermediate to advanced
This course will focus on clinical evaluation and decision-making for a variety of etiologies that underlie pediatric dysphagia. Through case analysis participants will develop a toolkit of intervention strategies for complex issues including: medically fragile infants and children, picky eaters, children with gastroesophageal reflux, children with G-tubes and others. Special topics include airway stability as a basis for oral feeding, clinical and instrumental evaluations for decision-making in neurologic swallow problems, assessing atypical swallow problems and treatments and identifying the barriers to successful oral feeding.