Dysphagia

Speech and Language Therapists support babies, children and young people with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. This is sometimes called ‘Dysphagia’.   

Eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties in children are often symptoms of other health conditions.  These may include:  

• Being born prematurely 
• Neurological conditions e.g. acquired brain injury 
• Cancer 
• Cerebral Palsy 
• Infectious Diseases e.g. meningitis 
• Neuromuscular Disorders e.g. muscular dystrophy 
• Respiratory Disorders e.g. Chronic Lung Disease 
• Cardiovascular Disorders e.g. Congenital Heart Disease 
• Gastrointestinal Difficulties e.g. Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux 
• Craniofacial Conditions e.g. cleft palate 
• Congenital Syndromes e.g. Prader Willi, Down’s Syndrome 
• Learning Disabilities  

It is possible that some children may still experience difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing or ‘Dysphagia’ when transitioning into adulthood. 

Things to look out for 

It is important that eating, drinking and swallowing is safe, nutritious and comfortable for all babies, children and young people. 

Choking is when food or other items become stuck in the throat and make it difficult for a child to breathe.   

Choking is very serious and requires medical help straight away.  If a baby, child or young person has had multiple choking incidents, it is possible their swallow is not working properly.  This would need to be assessed by a Speech and Language Therapist.   

Signs of Choking 

• Choking is quiet – a child may find it difficult to use their voice to call for help 
• If choking persists a child may turn pale or appear blue in colour 

Aspiration is when food or fluid goes down the wrong way and may enter the airway or lungs.   

Food or fluid entering the lungs can cause damage to the lungs.  This can cause a chest infection and make a baby, child or young person unwell.  If aspiration continues regularly, this may cause more serious conditions like pneumonia and impact on a child’s overall health.   

Signs of Aspiration 

• Recurrent chest infections 
• Regular coughing before, during or after swallowing 
• A gurgly or wet sounding voice after swallowing 
• Changes in colour or breathing rate when eating or drinking 
• Sweating or tears in the eyes when eating or drinking 
• Unexplained weight loss 
• Wheezing after eating or drinking 

How a Speech and Language Therapist can help 

Speech and Language Therapists look particularly at the ‘oral’ and ‘pharyngeal’ stages of eating and drinking – involving your mouth and throat. This is typically assessed by looking at the muscles of your child’s mouth and throat and observing them eating and drinking.  

If we need to see more detail, other more specific assessments can be carried out in the hospital e.g. it is possible to X-Ray your child’s swallowing.   

Specific recommendations will be made to help your child and ensure their eating, drinking and swallowing is as safe, nutritious and comfortable as possible.  This may include adapting their position when eating and drinking, using different or specialist cups or cutlery, using specific strategies when helping them eat and drink or recommending exercises to help them practice and develop the skills they need.   

Helping your child with their eating and drinking 

• Help your child to pace their eating and drinking.
• Ensure your child is in a seated position when eating and drinking  
• Help your child to be as independent as possible when eating and drinking 
• Give your child experience of lots of different textures outside of meal times. E.g. messy play.   
• Prepare your child for a meal or snack time so they are ready 
• Keep tastes separate and allow your child to indicate their likes, dislikes and preferences 
• If you are feeding your child, ensure you are positioned at the same height as them to help them maintain a neutral position, which will stop their straining their body or neck to reach the food or cup.