A team approach to neurologically based swallowing disorders

Dysphagia, or difficulty in chewing and swallowing, commonly occurs after neurological insult. If dysphagia is not detected early and treated therapeutically, it can cause life-threatening complications. Younker Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines, IA, has developed a unique team approach that incorporates individual and group dysphagia treatment programming and billing. This article focuses on dysphagia programming protocols, relevant and practical assessment and history-taking parameters, and various techniques to improve oral phase and pharyngeal phase swallowing disorders.