By Nancy B. Swigert, M.A., CCC-SLP, BRS-S

You’re worried about your child’s feeding and swallowing skills. Maybe your child is still taking the bottle when her peers are drinking from a cup. Perhaps your child is choking and gagging when eating certain foods. Or maybe your child, who used to take the bottle with no problems, screams every time he sees the bottle and refuses to drink. Or maybe your child has taken the term “picky eater” to new heights; picky doesn’t begin to describe the limited list of foods your child will eat. Perhaps you’ve had to stop taking your…

Worried about your kid eating and swallowing?

The NFOSD is pleased to announce the creation and addition of a Medical Advisory Board (MAB) to the foundation. The MAB is a major step forward in achieving our mission of improving the quality of life for those suffering from dysphagia, raising public and government awareness about this disorder, and ultimately increasing the funding for direct patient support and research. Initial board members include Nadine Connor, Jan Lewin, Christy Ludlow, and Nancy Swigert. Although for many, introductions are unnecessary, these initial committee members have focused on education, research, and direct patient support of swallowing disorders for a combined…

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!

The holidays are here and 2013 is right around the corner. CNN estimates that over 50% of Americans will make New Years’ resolutions. The resolution coming in after #1, Spending More Time with Family and Friends, is to “Fit in Fitness.” For those with dysphagia and the desire to consume (or improve) nutrition by mouth, an oral exercise routine is a key facet to maintaining and improving your swallowing function. As with many muscle groups involving nerves and coordination, oral exercises are a “use it or lose it” proposition. Exercise helps improve stamina, strengthens and tones, enhances flexibility, and improves quality of life. Swallowing is one of the most complex neuromuscular functions in the human body. We have recently updated our website to include a full set of oral exercises (and support videos) to use in conjunction with your clinician in designing an exercise program that will work for you! Make a commitment and “Fit in Oral Fitness” as one of 2013’s New Year’s resolutions. Happy New Year!

Eli, a beautiful thriving 2 year old… with dysphagia

This story is about Eli, a bright, energetic, angel of a boy ready to take on the world. Unfortunately, Eli has been suffering from dysphagia his entire life. The rigors of set feeding schedules, uncomfortable and strenuous nutrition intake, social isolation, and emotional heartache caused by having a son with dysphagia have put a tremendous strain on his entire family and their extended social and employment infrastructure. This story is about Eli, a bright, energetic, angel of a boy ready to take on the world. Unfortunately, Eli has been suffering from dysphagia his entire life. The rigors of set feeding schedules, uncomfortable and strenuous nutrition intake, social isolation, and emotional heartache caused by having a son with dysphagia have put a tremendous strain on his entire family and their extended...

Altered Nutrition for People with Dysphagia

As a speech language pathologist working with persons with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) over the past 25 plus years, I find that I do a lot of counseling with people when their diet needs to be changed to accommodate to their difficulties. Sometimes it is hard for those...