Waiting For the Next Swallow Study

>> YOUR LINK HERE: ___ http://youtube.com/watch?v=PjvvlQSKlA4

❌ Simply observing a child eating/drinking at their current diet until a swallow study gives the go-ahead for a new consistency isn’t therapy. • 🙅‍♀️ Einstein’s definition of insanity comes to mind—doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. • You might get lucky, but it’s unlikely to foster real progress. • ➡️ According to what we know about motor learning and experience-dependent neuroplasticity (check out the references below if you’re unfamiliar), sticking to the same level of function can actually hinder a child’s advancement to the skills we aim for! • This mindset can also be fear-based (more on this in The Feeding Pod podcast with @pediatricfeedingpartners 🤩). • Now, of course this is nuanced and depends a lot of the medical diagnosis, current status of the child, family goals and perspectives, and a team-based approached BUT… • 👏 Just like we don’t expect someone to go from crawling to running marathons without practice, why should we expect a child to move from thickened liquids to drinking water without practice either? • Here’s some things you CAN do: • 1. Start a Systematic Weaning Process: Gradually reduce the thickener to ease the transition. • 2. Consider Implementing Free Water Trials: Allows practice for the skill you want to develop while considering reduced risk. • 3. Explore Other Supporting Skills: Think about advancing to straw cups or improving food-based skills to aid independence and future weaning. • ➡️ Remember, every child is unique. Collaborate with the care team to create a tailored plan that promotes skill development while ensuring lung health. Don’t settle for keeping the child where they are - ask questions, dig deeper, and make changes! • References ⬇️ • Department of Speech Pathology, Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital. (2017). Dysphagia and free water protocol in paediatrics: Summary of the evidence. Retrieved from https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.... • ——— • Kleim J.A. Jones T.A. (2008). Principles of experience-dependent neural plasticity: implications for rehabilitation after brain damage. doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2008/018) • ——— • Panther, K. (2005). The Frazier Free Water Protocol. Perspective on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia). SIG 13 Perspectives. • ——— • Wolter, et al. (2019). A systematic process for weaning children with aspiration from thickened fluids. doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2017.1917 • ——— • Zimmerman, et al. (2020). Motor learning, neuroplasticity, and strength and skill training: Moving from compensation to retraining in behavioral management of dysphagia. doi.org/10.1044/2019_AJSLP-19-00088 • #SwallowStudy #ModifiedBariumSwallowStudy #MBSS #MBS #Barium #Thickener #SpeechLanguagePathology #SpeechLanguagePathologist #SLP #Evaluation #Assessment #MedicalTeam #MedicallyComplex #IndividualizedCare #CareTeam • Check out my website (https://pediatricfeedingslp.com) and Instagram ( / c_wsdpzxwsd ) for more info!

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