Dysphagia - Treatment/Action Plan?

[yomellamoHelly]

Had a one sheet "report" today from SALT at ds's new school saying ds2 (3 1/2) has mild dysphagia (he has difficulty swallowing). Came with guidelines for his school come lunchtime etc.

No plan for addressing this other than being careful at mealtimes.

I would have thought they could draw up some kind of programme for providing some oro-motor stimulation (lips, jaw, can't think what else) since he has no awareness and limited control of his mouth and for trying to get him to exercise his lips and tongue (hard since he struggles to move voluntarily).

Is there anything else I can suggest she should implement to address this in the long term?

Obviously the whole issue is clouded by ds2's lack of gross and in fact of any fine motor control. (They want him to spoon feed while he's in school which makes mealtimes a massive production.)

Hi does ds have a statement and if so does he have anything about S&l needs in it if it's centered round eating I'm guessing they will argue it's a health need. ,maybe have something on a IEP about doing excersises daily

Hi, my DS also has apparently some probs with swallow, SALT helpfully said to me that there's nothing they can do to improve the swallow. Other issues - tongue movement etc - they suggest stuff like putting chocolate on his lips for him to lick off but it is pointless as he can't stick his tongue out at all! We are doing some facial massage (made up ourselves) on his cheeks to try and get him moving them. Re swallowing though, if you are still doing the Vojta therapy, I was told that the exercise on the back (if you know which one I mean!) is supposed to help improve swallowing - don't know how but maybe you could ask next time you are there and focus on that one a bit?!

Thank you both of you.

Statement not really worth anything at moment. Will bring it up at IEP stage though.

Am still doing Vojta - will ask next appointment. Have also been told by different (useless) SALT that there was nothing that could be done "with these kind of children". (Don't think any parent would just shrug their shoulders and say oh well.) It's just that he's started school (again) and because they have him all day all week I kind of feel that they need to be proactive (as I try to be at home) and try and help him in the long-term rather than just "manage" the problem iyswim.