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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
Assessment and intervention for dysphagia in infants and children: beyond the neonatal intensive care unit
Hannah R Bell1, Beth Sheckman Alper
1KenCrest Children and Family Services, Philadelphia, PA 19119, USA. hbell@kencrest.org
Insights
Feeding and swallowing disorders (dysphagia) in children are increasingly common due to medical advances and autism spectrum disorder. Services are shifting to natural environments, requiring new approaches for speech-language pathologists.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric healthcare
- Speech-language pathology
- Developmental disorders
Background:
- Childhood feeding and swallowing problems (dysphagia) have gained significant attention globally over the past decade.
- Increased prevalence is linked to advances in neonatal care, improved survival rates for premature infants, and a rise in autism spectrum disorder diagnoses.
- Legislative changes in the US have shifted service delivery for pediatric dysphagia to natural environments like homes and schools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of assessment and intervention for pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders.
- To highlight the evolving roles of speech-language pathologists in diverse settings.
- To identify areas for future research in evidence-based practices for childhood dysphagia.
Main Methods:
- Review of current practices in pediatric dysphagia assessment and intervention.
- Analysis of factors contributing to the increasing incidence of dysphagia in children.
- Examination of the impact of legislative changes on service delivery models.
- Discussion of the role of speech-language pathologists in various pediatric settings.
Main Results:
- Pediatric dysphagia assessment incorporates both clinical evaluations and instrumental methods, with a focus on the feeding environment.
- Speech-language pathologists are increasingly adopting consultative roles to support children in homes, schools, and clinics.
- The shift towards naturalistic service delivery necessitates adaptable intervention strategies.
Conclusions:
- The management of pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach, adapting to new settings and patient populations.
- Further research is needed to establish the efficacy of specific interventions, such as oral exercises, within an evidence-based practice framework.
- Speech-language pathologists play a crucial role in addressing the growing needs of children with dysphagia across all environments.
Abstract:
Over the last 10 years, the assessment and intervention for feeding and swallowing problems in infants and children have attracted increased attention on a national and international level. Increases in the population of children with dysphagia are due, in large part, to advances in medical and surgical management of at-risk term infants, improved medical support for viability of younger and smaller preterm infants, and increases in the number of children on the autism spectrum. Because of legislative initiatives, settings in which children are seen for assessment and intervention have shifted, with services provided more often in the natural environments of homes, daycares, preschools, and schools, as well as in hospitals and outpatient clinics in the United States. Assessment of infants and children with dysphagia continues to include clinical and instrumental evaluations with clinical assessment including a specific focus on the feeding environment. Speech-language pathologists are increasingly assuming consultative roles to support the needs of children in all settings. Areas for further research in the era of evidence-based practice include efficacy of oral exercises and other intervention strategies.
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