AOTA

Adult Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing: Occupational Therapy Dysphagia Management

By Emily Rinaldi, OTD, OTR/L; Wendy Avery, MS, OTR/L; Janelle Hatlevig, MA, OTR/L, BCPR; and Shari Bernard, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES

Feeding, eating, and swallowing ADLs are critical occupations and well within occupational therapy’s scope of practice for evaluation, assessment, and intervention. Dysphagia is a prevalent secondary condition that can result from various disease processes, such as stroke, acquired brain injury, cancer, trauma, or progression of neurologic conditions. Affecting people’s ability to successfully participate in mealtime occupations, swallowing deficits can significantly limit quality of life. Adult Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing demonstrates occupational therapy’s role in dysphagia management within the adult population through evidence-based content, practical how-to information, and emphasis on the multidisciplinary heath care team to equip occupational therapy students and practitioners at all levels to address eating, feeding, and swallowing concerns with their patients.

Contents include—

• Chapter 1. Overview of Occupational Therapy and Adult Mealtime Occupations of Eating, Feeding, and Swallowing
• Chapter 2. Swallowing Anatomy and Physiology
• Chapter 3. Normal Adult Swallowing Physiology
• Chapter 4. Abnormal Swallowing Physiology
• Chapter 5. Clinical Dysphagia Evaluation
• Chapter 6. Instrumental Dysphagia Assessment
• Chapter 7. Dysphagia Intervention
• Chapter 8. Diet Modifications
• Chapter 9. Respiratory Considerations and Complex Populations
• Chapter 10. Psychosocial Effects of Dysphagia
• Chapter 11. Case Studies for Dysphagia Intervention
• Appendixes include Occupational Therapy Feeding and Swallowing Competencies, Selection of Standardized Dysphagia Assessments, Evaluation and Intervention Table, Penetration–Aspiration Scale, Dysphagia Resources, and Exercises for Your Face Patient Handout 

This text is important for occupational therapy practitioners in numerous settings, including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, long-term care, and home health. Clinicians can use it to promote occupational therapy practitioners as recognized and respected providers of dysphagia evaluation, prevention, rehabilitation, and management.