Infant and Child Feeding and Swallowing Speech Therapy Services:

Pediatric Dysphagia is a swallowing and feeding disorder that can affect any part of the feeding process. Oral Dysphagia refers to difficulty using the mouth, tongue, or lips to control food or liquid. Pharyngeal dysphagia refers to the problems in the throat that impede food going into the stomach and intestines. While it is often caused by underlying health complications, medical conditions and disabilities, “dysphagia occurs in 25% to 45% of normally developing children”.

Some signs of pediatric dysphagia can vary from child to chilld, but can often include: 

  • Difficulty breathing while feeding or eating
  • Coughing, choking, or gagging during or after swallowing
  • Crying at mealtimes
  • Lack of responsiveness while eating
  • Dehydration
  • Inability to chew foods that are texturally age-appropriate
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Trouble controlling secretions, such as drooling or salivating, unrelated to teething
  • Detachment from food, such as turning away, facial grimaces, splayed fingers

  • Frequent congestion

  • Noisy or wet vocal qualities during or after feeding

  • Unnecessary long feeding times

  • Refusing foods based on types or textures

  • Taking very small amounts, or overstuffing the mouth

  • Weight loss or lack of weight gain

  • Vomiting

    Based on the problems your child is having, some goals of therapy can be:

  • Enhancing the strength and coordination of the lips, tongue and jaw

  • Eliminating certain foods and drink aversions

  • Lessening resistance to feeding

  • Decreasing risk of aspiration