Clinical Guideline: Dysphagia
Cichero, J., Baldac, S., et al. (2012).
Melbourne (Australia): Speech Pathology Australia, 1-56.
This is a guideline for speech-language pathologists that provides recommendations for the management of children and adults with dysphagia.
Speech Pathology Australia
The data in this guideline are included in other documents which can be found in the Associated Article section below.
Individuals should be screened for feeding/swallowing safety using a valid screening tool before given anything by mouth (Grade B Evidence).
Dysphagia management may include treatments such as postural strategies or maneuvers, diet modification of textures and liquids or environmental modification (Grade B Evidence).
"Improvement and maintenance of oral hygiene is an appropriate and effective intervention for clients with dysphagia (Grade B Evidence; p. 6).
Due to the complexity of individuals with dysphagia, multidisciplinary dysphagia management, which include speech-language pathologists, is recommended (Good Practice).
Teaching new skills or rehabilitation techniques aimed at improving safe and efficient swallowing are recommended. "Clinicians should demonstrate competence in using the techniques before application" (Grade C Evidence).
Individuals who fail the swallow screen should be referred to a speech-language pathologist for a follow up clinical swallowing assessment which may include trial swallows/oral feeding and instrumental assessment. The speech pathologist will determine if instrumental assessment is needed to support appropriate management (Good Practice).
