Navigating Dysphagia in Child Developmental Communication Disorders Using Telepractice Methods

Introduction

Feeding and swallowing are vital physiological functions necessary for the human body’s survival, that affect growth, health, and socialization across the lifespan. Feeding and swallowing have an important social function as they set the occasion for social interactions. For example, participation in meals (e.g., eating with family and/or friends) is extremely widespread among different cultures and is an important aspect of both daily and social life. These processes accompany a series of socialization events, during which the individual can develop dialogue and share thoughts, knowledge, feelings, stories, and experiences. In its social dimension, feeding enables the individual to integrate into society, to develop psychologically, culturally, and emotionally, and thus lead a better quality of life (Wilkinson et al., 2021).

Swallowing is a complex neuromuscular, dynamic, semi-autonomous sensorimotor, and cognitive process. As a physiological function, swallowing ensures the provision of adequate nutrition and hydration, through the simultaneous execution of the following three vital functions: a) airway protection, b) nourishment, and c) hydration, while significantly contributing to the maintenance of the human body (Rosenbek & Jones, 2007; Shaker et al., 2012).