How are feeding and swallowing disorders diagnosed? | Chicago Speech Therapy

How are feeding and swallowing disorders diagnosed?

If you suspect that your child is having difficulty eating, contact your pediatrician right away. Your pediatrician will examine your child and address any medical reasons for the feeding difficulties, including the presence of reflux or metabolic disorders. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in treating children with feeding and swallowing disorders can evaluate your child and will:

  • ask questions about your child’s medical history, development, and symptoms
  • look at the strength and movement of the muscles involved in swallowing
  • observe feeding to see your child’ s posture, behavior, and oral movements during eating and drinking
  • perform special tests, if necessary, to evaluate swallowing, such as:
    • modified barium swallow -child eats or drinks food or liquid with barium in it, and then the swallowing process is viewed on an X-ray.
    • endoscopic assessment -a lighted scope is inserted through the nose, and the child’s swallow can be observed on a screen.

The SLP may work as part of a feeding team. Other team members may include:

  • an occupational therapist
  • a physical therapist
  • a physician or nurse
  • a dietitian or nutritionist
  • a developmental specialist

Your child’s posture, self-feeding abilities, medical status, and nutritional intake will be examined by the team. The team will then make recommendations on how to improve your child’s feeding and swallowing.

Your Pediatric Feeding Therapist in Chicago,
Karen George

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"Elizabeth was an incredibly communicative and supportive therapist for our daughter. We saw impressive improvement quickly, and our 2yo often looked forward to their weekly sessions. Our daughter just graduated from speech and we're so grateful for Elizabeth's expertise, empathy, and support over the past year!"

"We had the most wonderful experience with Chicago Speech Therapy! Our speech pathologist, Miss Megan, developed a bond with our son almost immediately. By week two, he would await her arrival by the window in our front door! She quickly discovered all of his favorite things and would bring so many toys of her own that would keep him engaged and wanting to talk! She gave us (parents) tons of strategies to work with on our own in between her weekly visits. Our son made consistent progress under her care and has now been released from speech therapy ~ which actually makes us so sad ~ simply because we miss Miss Megan! She basically became part of our family and will be dearly missed. I couldn’t recommend Miss Megan and Chicago Speech Therapy more!"

Speech Therapy Services We Offer | Chicago Speech Therapy

Speech Therapy Services We Offer

Our expert speech-language pathologists are equipped to address a wide range of communication challenges, providing tailored solutions for each child's unique needs. From early language development to complex communication disorders, we offer comprehensive support at every stage of your child's journey.