KIMS Conducts workshop for speech Language pathologists

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital, Secunderabadconducted a 2-days workshop on “Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Neurological Conditions Across the Lifespan.”Instructor of the workshop, Marybeth Trapani-HanasewychSpeech Language Pathologist from USA.  Practicing speech Language pathologists from across India like Bangalore, Chennai, Kerala, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad attended this workshop to train and update themselves in problem solving skills.This program was organized by dept of Speech Language Pathology, Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (Speaking and Swallowing Disorders) KIMS Hospital, Secunderabad in association with Asian Transcare Rehabilitation Centre, Hyderabad; Therapy India, Mumbai and Society for Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (SFSD)

Speech Language pathologist are the rehabilitation professionals who assess and intervenes Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (Oro-Pharyngeal Dysphagia). Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (Oro-Pharyngeal Dysphagia) are the health conditions which can leave significant inability to eat, chew, Swallow food and at high risk for the food to enter airway leading to lung infections(Aspiration Pneumonia). In severe cases Dehydration, malnutrition, Electrolyte imbalances are secondary to inability to take enough food by mouth.

Speaking about the workshop, Mr.S. Phaneedhar Reddy, Speech Therapist, KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad, said, “The problems like feeding and Swallowing disorders can be experienced by anyone at any stage. But it is relatively new subject and many of us do not talk about it. It is high time, we have enough number of speech therapists who can address these issues in our country. This workshop is aimed at updating the knowledge of the existing speech therapists with the help of international faculty. With the advanced techniques available, these problems can be handled well.”

Speaking on the occasion, the instructor Marybeth Trapani-Hanasewychsaid, “This 2 days’ workshop was aimed at Speech Language Pathologists, who are working with feeding and Swallowing disorders in Children and/or Adults. We want them to learn and identify typical/atypical swallowing through clinical observations and Objective Testing and the coordination of breathing and swallowing. We have demonstrated oral motor strategies across the life span to improve feeding and swallowing, NDT (Neuro Developmental Treatment) foundational skills of touch, alignment, base of support & weight shift by understanding its influence on Oral arena and DIEZ and other strategies to increase respiratory capacity.”

Marybeth Trapani-Hanasewych is a Speech Language Pathologist with over 35 Years of Experience. She covered topics like Anatomy and Physiology of the Swallow through the lifespan,Assessment of the Swallow- VFSS, FEES, medical testing, effects of medications. The workshop also covered many case studies. Special emphasis on discussing major gray areas in Feeding and Swallowing Disorders like effect of medications, breathing co-ordination, what SLP need to know about Esophageal Dysphagia, understanding whole body movements and its influence on Oral movements & “choosing the most effective Intervention strategy to match the specific impairments”.

Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (Oro-Pharyngeal Dysphagia) are seen across the life span, in neonates and Children with premature delivery, Asphyxia, Cleft lip & Palate, Developmental Delay, Genetic conditions(Downs syndrome, pierre robin sequence, treachercollinsetc) neurological conditions like cerebral palsy, seizures disorder, Autism Spectrum disorders etc. in Adults with brain strokes, Parkinson disease, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, followed by surgery or/and chemo radiation for  brain tumours involving swallowing centre.