I) Role of speech-language
pathologist in neonatal
intensive care with
reference to
feeding and swallowing
2
Role of speech-language pathologist in neonatal
intensive care with reference to
feeding and swallowing
Educating families of children at risk for pediatric
feeding and swallowing disorders;
Educating other professionals on the needs of
children with feeding and swallowing disorders and
the role of SLPs in diagnosis and management;
Conducting a comprehensive assessment, including
clinical and instrumental evaluations as appropriate;
3
Considering culture as it pertains to food
choices/habits, perception of disabilities, and
beliefs about intervention (Davis-McFarland, 2008);
Diagnosing pediatric oral and pharyngeal
swallowing disorders (dysphagia);
Recognizing signs of avoidant/restrictive food
intake disorder (ARFID) and making appropriate
referrals with collaborative treatment as needed;
4
Referring the patient to other professionals as needed to
rule out other conditions, determine etiology, and facilitate
patient access to comprehensive services;
Recommending a safe swallowing and feeding plan for the
individualized family service plan (IFSP), individualized
education program (IEP), or 504 plan;
Educating children and their families to prevent
complications related to feeding and swallowing disorders;
Serving as an integral member of an interdisciplinary
feeding and swallowing team;
5
Consulting and collaborating with other professionals, family
members, caregivers, and others to facilitate program
development and to provide supervision, evaluation, and/or
expert testimony, as appropriate (see ASHA's resources on
interprofessional education/interprofessional practice
[IPE/IPP] and person-and family-centered care);
Remaining informed of research in the area of pediatric
feeding and swallowing disorders while helping to advance
the knowledge base related to the nature and treatment of
these disorders; and advocating for families and individuals
with feeding and swallowing disorders at the local, state,
and national levels.
6
SLP will consult the nursery staff, caregivers and other
members of the medical team to gain insight to
determine the infant's readiness to feed orally.
SLP performs a battery of assessment tools available to
assess breast feeding, bottle feeding, and sucking skills.
SLP also assess respiratory rate, heart rate, suck-
swallow-breathe coordination, quantity of intake, and
infant positioning.
SLPS must develop intervention strategies that are
appropriate for the infant's medical condition, behavioral
status, swallowing competencies and most importantly,
their overall safety.
7
SLPS often use a combination of intervention
techniques to enhance oral motor skills and to
improve the coordination of suck-swallow-breathe .
To conclude, the role of swallowing therapist is to
identify safe swallowing strategies including
optimal diet to teach is to caregiver to monitor
caregiver on the same.
To improve or compensate for patients abnormal
neuromuscular for swallowing.
Thank You
Reference:Pediatric Swallowing and
Feeding Assessment and Management
(Third Edition)
By Joan C. Arvedson, PhD
Linda Brodsky, MD
Maureen A. Lefton-Greif, PhD
