ASHA provides an exhaustive description of approaches, techniques, principles, ethics, and delivery of assessment for adults with dysphagia. As clinicians we are regularly required to use skilled language and this resource can give you inspiration with documentation. This tool outlines the role of the SLP in dysphagia diagnostics and has a detailed list of considerations in instrumental and non-instrumental assessment.

The assessment evidence map provides a comprehensive review of research related to evaluation of adults with dysphagia. When searching, the articles can be filtered by population (i.e. Parkinson’s disease, Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.), which provides evidence-based material to guide the assessment process. When you have a patient or family member who wants to know more, this is a quick way to find educational material.

It is widely known that assessing patients with dysphagia using an instrumental exam is important. Unfortunately, access to these kinds of assessments can be difficult to obtain and unrealistic in some settings.  Mobile Dysphagia Diagnostics is working to make the “Gold Standard” of swallowing assessments readily available to clinicians and their patients. With mobile FEES, trained clinicians evaluate patients with dysphagia using this board certified mobile swallow study service. Check out the resource to see if they are in your state!

There are a variety of ways to incorporate quantitative data into a bedside swallowing assessment and the EAT-10 is a good starting place. Standardized assessment measures are crucial in clinical swallow exams and the EAT-10 has been proven to be successful in detecting unsafe airway protection with adults with dysphagia. The EAT-10 is a short, 10 question form that can easily be completed by a patient or family member and is a must-have in your assessment toolkit.

Created by Northern Speech Services, the Dysphagia app provides animations and other resources that are derived from the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile. This tool is an excellent visual for patients and family members to improve comprehension of the process of swallowing and the associated impairments. The animations imitate a MBSS; however, the structures are in color, the clinician has the ability to control the speed of the video, and the swallow can be viewed from lateral and AP views. The Dysphagia app is a great pocket-resource. Cost: $9.99

Swallow Your Pride podcast is teeming with dynamic discussion around swallowing disorders and other deficits within the scope of practice of SLPs. This particular episode, featuring Rebecca Levy, M.S., CCC-SLP, not only discusses the ins-and-outs of implementing evidence-based dysphagia treatment but also provides FREE “show notes” with exercises that correlate to specific swallowing deficits ranging from lip closure to esophageal clearance.

If you missed the May 2018 piece in the ASHA Leader by Karen Sheffler, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S, I have included it below. Take 5 minutes to read her write-up on the role of oral care and the risks associated with poor oral hygiene. With research to back her stance, she implores SLPs to consider taking steps towards educating caregivers who complete hygiene activities with our patients. She  also suggests allowing this knowledge to guide our plan of care with appropriate patients.

ASHA provides access to over 130 articles on treating adults with dysphagia divided into sections of “External Scientific Evidence”, “Clinical Expertise”, and “Clinical Perspective”. These articles aid clinicians in focusing on evidence based practice and create strong support for providing in-services and education to those who intersect with the field of speech-language pathology.

The podcast episode entitled, “Wreak Havoc: Are you sure your dysphagic patients need strengthening?” features Dr. Leo Ferreira, an associate professor in the department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology at the University of Florida. The episode outlines the role of critical thinking when identifying appropriate treatment approaches for treating dysphagia.

This application by Tactus Therapy allows quick access to intervention and exercises with an outline of the cranial nerves, muscles, and desired objectives for each area. It is important to note that all exercises should be considered under the lens of the most recent research, which is the responsibility of the treating SLP. Cost: $14.99

Dysphagia Cafe has a wealth of information ranging from neurogenic dysphagia to tracheostomy support in feeding. The link below takes you to the neurogenic dysphagia page but take your time to browse additional information and resources from various healthcare professionals. Dysphagia Cafe also has an Instagram account that alerts you when new content is available.

In this course James Coyle, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S educates SLPs on practicing with increased confidence with lab values and medication impacting your caseload. This CEU is provided through Norther Speech Services. Cost: $24.00 CEU: 0.1

For members with speechpathology.com, Nancy B. Swigert, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S outlines the oral phase of the swallow and includes tools for treatment and the associated evidence based practice. Membership Cost: $99/yr CEU: 0.2

Through Medbridge Michael Crary PhD, F-ASHA describes how to integrate the use of the FOIS for the purpose of interpreting data and how to apply it in intervention with a live demonstration with a patient during the course. This course helps SLPs focus on reliable and valid outcome measures in dysphagia therapy. Cost: $29/course CEU: 0.5

For members of speechpathology.com, Angela Mansolillo, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-S provides a course on the various ways medication can impact the swallow, how food and liquid thickener can alter medication effectiveness, and how to decrease these risks for patients with dysphagia. Membership Cost: $99/yr CEU: 1.5

For members of speechpathology.com, Denise Dougherty, M.A., CCC-SLP speaks on the the relationship between aging and dentition and the correlation between chewing and saliva. This two-part course also provides practical steps on educating caregivers and staff members on safe oral hygiene protocols. Membership Cost: $99/yr CEU: 0.2

Leigh Ann Porter, MA, CCC-SLP compiled a “living document” that contains continuing education opportunities for adult dysphagia. She invites clinicians to add to the list by emailing her if you know of a course that is not listed. Included is the cost of each course, whether or not you can receive CE credit, and a course description. Don’t miss out on this resource!