Explanation of some Swallowing Programs

Self-Feeding and Swallowing Treatment Programs
When your feeding and swallowing difficulties require therapy, your speech- language pathologist and occupational therapist will work together to design and implement a program specific to your needs. Our goal is to help you reach your highest potential for safe swallowing.

Several treatment approaches which may be included in your swallowing program are:

Oral Motor Methods - These may include an exercise program for your chewing and swallowing muscles, as well as training specific swallowing techniques.

Therapeutic Feeding - Small amounts of food are given to increase the patient's ability to eventually tolerate a complete meal safely.

Posture - Recommendations are made to assure that your head and body is positioned for safe and efficient swallowing.

Adaptive Equipment - Equipment may be recommended to help you with positioning and feeding yourself. Some devices that may be recommended include arm and lapboards, wheelchair cushions and adaptive cups and plates.

Changes in Eating Style - Changes may be recommended by your swallowing therapists to assure safer swallowing. A written list of recommendations will be provided and may include suggestions such as eating more slowly, swallowing more frequently, eating in a quiet area with few distractions, eating only certain food consistencies, etc. The
reason for each recommendation will be explained to you by your swallowing therapists.

Food Preparation - Foods may be prepared in different ways to help you swallow safely. Your foods may be pureed, blenderized or soft as ordered by your physician. Liquids also have different consistencies. Thicker liquids may be easier at first to swallow than thinner liquids.

The following list gives examples of diet orders including foods you
may receive at meals.

Physician's Diet Order - Foods may include:

Thick Liquids - Cream soups, hot cereal, custard, puddings, thick frappe, and apricot nectar.

Thin Liquids with Thickener - A powdered additive (cornstarch) may be used to thicken consistencies of thin liquids.

Thin Liquids - Water, soda, fruit juices, hot beverages, milk, jello, melted ice cream.

Puree Diet - Meat, vegetables, fruit will be pureed; mashed potato, whipped squash, applesauce, cream of wheat and oatmeal.

Basic Soft Diet - All meats will be ground and vegetables will be blenderized. Soft chewables are allowed including canned fruits, scrambled eggs, hot cereal, rolls, muffins, bread, pastas, casseroles, stews, quiche, pie, pancakes.

Advanced Soft Diet - Soft cut meats and cooked vegetables, and canned fruit are allowed. All foods allowed for basic soft diet are also available on advanced soft diet .

Dental Soft Diet - For patients who may have difficulty chewing. This diet restricts fresh fruit, raw vegetables and foods containing nuts. Most other foods are included. (Some patients require foods from more than one of the above categories.)

House/Regular Diet - Foods have no modifications of ingredients or textures