Major focus area

Feeding Therapy -> Swallowing

Short description

This is a treatment for swallowing problems using exercises designed to improve oral muscle strength and coordination that does not involve food (Swigert, 2007; Logemann, 1998; Cherney, 1994; Hegde 2008).

Long description

Treatment of swallowing problems using exercises designed to improve the strength and coordination of oral muscles without the use of food.

1. Labial exercises: Stretch/pucker lips, close lips around an object and hold.
2. Lingual exercises: Range of motion and lingual resistance exercises.
3. Buccal Tension: Stretch lips to say “e”, round to say “o”, and alternate.
4. Mandible: range of motion and resistance exercises.
5. Manipulating materials in the mouth from one side to the other.
6. Manipulate a bolus in the mouth from side to side, cup the tongue around the bolus, and then expectorate the bolus once the task is finished. SLP checks for residue.