SLHS 605 - Dysphagia in Adults and Children

Units: 4
Evidence-based, contemporary practices for screening, assessment, and treatment of dysphagia in adults and children. Anatomy and physiology of normal swallowing, bedside and instrumental assessment of swallowing disorders, management of swallowing disorders, and ethical issues in clinical practice.

Prerequisites: Admission to M.S. Speech-Language Pathology program.
Possible Instructional Methods: Hybrid.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Identify normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology of the swallowing mechanism across the lifespan.
Screen for, identify, and diagnose swallowing impairments, using physical and instrumental evaluation methods.
Develop skills to document assessment data and to use assessment data to develop relevant treatment plans, for pediatric and adult clients.
Become aware of the spectrum of current interventions for treating dysphagia — including dietary, behavioral, surgical, and medical approaches.
Become aware of cultural/linguistic issues that impact service delivery to clients with dysphagia.
Develop knowledge about evaluating client progress and determining treatment efficacy.
Apply information on ethical issues and their impact on assessing and treating clients with dysphagia.
Become knowledgeable about the role of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) involved in the care of persons with dysphagia.