Optimizing Collaboration Between Medical and School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists Managing Pediatric Dysphagia

• DOI: 10.1044/sasd18.3.91
• Publication Date: 2009-10-09T11:12:59Z
• Authors: Claire Kane Miller
• Keywords: Speech-Language Pathology

Abstract Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with the pediatric population, regardless of setting—home-based, early intervention center, hospital, or school—are more likely than not to encounter children in their practice exhibit dysphagia. The reasons for this are basically two-fold: medical and legislative. Continued advances care surgical management have resulted increased survival rates infants very complex issues, which often include oral motor, feeding, swallowing difficulty (Kelly, 2006; McNab & Blackman, 1998). Second, legislation ensuring that all receive educational services least restrictive setting has number being referred school-based SLP, given addressing feeding disorders is considered educationally relevant (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], 2007). role SLP may differ terms environment by what type service rendered, be it consultation, evaluation, treatment. However, common responsibility SLPs, setting, together initiate maintain ongoing communication collaboration regarding components dysphagia evaluation treatment plan. As require continues rise, establishing using organized systems information sharing between education settings underscored. purpose following article increase awareness current resources guide patterns, offer some practical suggestions enhance SLPs.