Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

A.         About This Course

B.         Learning Objectives

Section 2: Anatomy and Physiology Review

A.         The OT’s Role

B.         Introduction to Dysphagia

C.         Structures Involved in the Process of Deglutition

D.        A Few Definitions

E.        How Does a Swallow Occur?

F.         Practice

G.         Review

H.        Summary

Section 3: Evaluating Deglutition

A.         Evaluating Deglutition (The Clinical Bedside Evaluation)

B.         Read the Clinical Record

C.        Talk to the Patient

D.        Talk to Caregivers

E.         Conduct the Clinical Bedside Swallowing Evaluation

F.         Textures of Food and Liquid

G.        Thickeners

H.        Observe the General Appearance of the Patient

I.          A Good Oral Peripheral Exam

J.         Introduce Food and Liquid

K.         To Refer or Not to Refer

L.         MBS and FEES

M.        Review

N.        Summary

Section 4: Treatment Recommendations

A.         Making Recommendations

B.         Feeding Tubes

C.        Diet Modification

D.        Food Preparation

E.         Treatment Plan

F.         Documentation

G.        Components of Documentation

H.        Challenging Patients

I.          Ethical and Legal Decisions Regarding Swallowing Issues

J.         Review

K.         Summary

Section 5: Conclusion

A.         Summary

B.         Course Contributor

C.        Resources

D.        References

E.         Congratulations!

Amy Reinstein, M.S., CCC – SLP has been practicing speech language pathology for 8 years focusing on the dysphagia and neurogenic communication adult population. Amy has worked in various New York City acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, short term rehabilitation centers, home health care, and outpatient private practice. She has extensive experience in performing and evaluating Modified Barium Swallow Studies. Her teaching experience includes supervising Clinical Fellows to attain their certification, as well as certified speech–language pathologists in home health and skilled nursing facilities. Amy has also worked extensively with the New York City Board of Education K- 12 and Special Education schools. Special projects include publishing various articles for trade magazines and blogs, contributing to CEU courses, publishing of a live website, and creating clinical assessments and evaluations. She is currently authoring a speech and language textbook and conducting a research study in dysphagia. Disclosure: Amy Reinstein, M.S., CCC – SLP has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.

Tameika McLean is an occupational therapist based in the Washington, DC metro area. She has worked in the acute care, acute rehabilitation, subacute rehabilitation/skilled nursing, and outpatient settings. She is also a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) and will soon earn the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Low Vision certificate.

Disclosure: Tameika McLean, MS, OTR/L, CAPS has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.