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By Lindsey Wegner, M.A., CCC-SLP
If children have difficulty swallowing food or liquids, they may be suffering from
pediatric dysphagia. This means they are struggling with passing food or liquids from the
mouth, into the throat, and through the esophagus and stomach during the swallowing
process. Approximately 25%-45% of typically developing children demonstrate feeding
and swallowing problems and that prevalence is increasing due to improved survival
rates of children born prematurely.
Some Signs of Dysphagia:
- Eating slowly
- Swallowing a single mouthful several times
- Difficulty coordinating sucking and swallowing
- Gagging and/or choking during swallowing
- Drooling
- Stiffening or arching their bodies during feedings
- Coughing while eating or drinking
- Wet or raspy sounding voice while eating or drinking
- Spitting up or vomiting
- Weight loss
- Fever during or after eating
- Watery nose or eyes during or after feeding
- Vomiting during or after eating
- Chronic respiratory illnesses
Some Causes of Dysphagia:
- Cleft lip or palate
- Dental problems
- Abnormally large tongue or tonsils
- Tumors or masses in the throat
- Developmental disabilities
- Neurological disorders
- Medication side effects
- Sensory issues
- Behavioral factors
- Social, emotional, and/or environmental factors
Some Treatment Options for Dysphagia:
- Behavioral interventions
- Postural/positioning techniques
- Diet modification
- Equipment/utensils
- Biofeedback
- Oral-motor treatments
- Pacing and cue-based feeding strategies
- Prosthetics/appliances
- Sensory stimulation
- Tube feeding
If you suspect your child might have pediatric dysphagia, it is important to receive an
assessment from a qualified speech-language pathologist (SLP) as soon as possible. They
will be able to determine not only if your child is having difficulty with swallowing but
also how to treat him/her in order for them to receive the proper amount of nutrition for
survival.
Resources
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