Since last month when I reviewed the app Dysphagia, a new series of dysphagia education apps has been released by Blue Tree Publishing. There are four apps in the series, priced at $4.99 each for iPad only, to cover normal swallowing, oral disorders, residue disorders, and aspiration disorders. Swallow ID is the only app I've used ...

While some patients in skilled nursing facilities are there for short-term stays in order to receive various therapy and nursing services, others will remain with us for months, years, or possibly for the rest of their lives. We expect to see some patients again due to the progressive nature of some disorders. Others might return unexpectedly to ...

 Many patients with dementia are described by family and caregivers as having decreased appetites or as having lost interest in meals. Many of these same patients will continue to eat sweets, snacks, or consume beverages, but will not sit for long enough to eat a meal, or will not eat with utensils. I observe all of my patients while eating, ...

Helping patients, families and other caregivers understand when and what patients can eat requires clear communication Dysphagia therapy can last for weeks or even months, especially when patients are admitted with orders for NPO. This process can be frustrating for patients and their families, and some upfront caregiver and patient education can ...

I think every SLP's goal for dysphagia patients is to have them eat and enjoy a ''normal'' diet. Depending on the etiology of the swallowing dysfunction, and the patient's response to treatment, there are various diet levels and liquid consistencies that can be considered. Patient preferences, and the willingness of the patient and their family ...

Dysphagia therapy encompasses many treatment options and approaches. There is always considerable debate about the efficacy of one treatment approach or another. This week, as I continue on with my advice for new clinicians in the SNF, I'd like to focus on swallowing therapy. Firstly, let me remind everyone that the resources and equipment ...

I'm still focusing on therapy materials that new clinicians in the SNF or geriatric setting might want to collect. One of the most versatile therapy tools you can use are everyday objects, which work for naming, following directions, describing, attention, memory, orientation, speech intelligibility and auditory comprehension. So many skills can ...

Autism Awareness Month began on Sunday, April 1. My son Doug's birthday is April 1. The fifth annual World Autism Awareness Day was April 2. World Autism Awareness Day ''aims to increase people's awareness about people, especially children, with autism. The day often features educational events for teachers, health care workers and parents, as ...

Happy spring! This week is ''R'' week at our school, and one of the themes the children are learning about is the rainforest. Tropical Ice Cream is a fabulously delicious recipe that the occupational therapist at our school created. The dish turned out to be a fun, educational and wonderful sensory experience for even our pickiest of ...

Recently, I posted an interview with Christine Costello, a CFY-SLP who shared some of her experiences and thoughts about working in long-term care. As spring approaches, I know that many graduate students are anticipating graduation and beginning a search for employment. While graduate programs offer a variety of clinical experiences, they do not ...