Sessions at Dysphagia Management: Strengthening Skills, Overcoming Obstacles

September 3–22, 2025 | Online Conference

Pre-recorded sessions will be on-demand and last about an hour, so you can watch them whenever time permits! 

Adult and Aging Swallowing Physiology: Understanding Normal Variation
Bonnie Martin-Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP

Speech-language pathologists often struggle to distinguish between normal and impaired swallowing in adults of different ages. This session will explain how swallowing normally works in healthy adults and how it naturally changes as people age. The presenter will use evidence-based approaches, including the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile™ (MBSImP), to help explain the difference between normal swallowing variations and actual swallowing disorders. You'll learn practical strategies to accurately interpret what you see during instrumental assessment and create personalized care plans for your patients.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • identify key anatomic and physiologic components of the swallowing mechanism in adults of different ages
  • describe the range of normal swallowing variability in healthy and aging adult populations
  • distinguish between age-related adaptations and pathophysiologic findings 
  • differentiate between expected physiologic variability and impairment in adult and aging swallowing function
  • apply the MBSImP framework to analyze swallowing function, with attention to physiologic variability
  • interpret instrumental assessment findings with confidence, to guide individualized, evidence-informed clinical decision-making

An Evidence-Based Approach to Triaging Risk for Swallowing Impairment: Critical Steps Before the Clinical Swallow Exam
Justine Dallal-York, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

This session will share evidence-based, practical approaches to inform clinical decision-making processes and optimize screening and referral systems for patients at high risk for dysphagia and aspiration. Learn how to efficiently interpret key elements of an electronic medical record (EMR)—such as lab values, vital signs, medications, and radiographic imaging—to optimize screening and assessment practices.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • use information from EMRs to improve screening and assessment practices for individuals with dysphagia
  • effectively integrate EMR data into decision-making
  • apply an evidence-based framework to screen and triage individuals at high risk for dysphagia and aspiration

Making the Patient the Core of the Decision-Making Process
Jennifer Hanners Gutierrez, PhD, CCC-SLP

This session will discuss why patients and/or caregivers may desire oral nutrition, the risks and benefits of oral vs. tube feeding, medical ethics, patient rights, and how to provide evidence-based education and documentation related to least-risk oral feeding. Learn how informed consent, biomedical ethics, and patient rights cannot be disconnected from this educational process.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • discuss the psychological and physiological implications of tube vs. oral feeding
  • describe biomedical ethical principles as related to selection of the best feeding route amid dysphagia and critical or terminal illness
  • deliver bad news in a structured, evidence-based manner
  • list the components of informed autonomous consent as related to nutritional decision-making
  • adapt education related to selection of feeding route to various settings, cultures, level of social support, life experiences, and each patient's tapestry of health care complications
  • describe patient rights as related to choosing a route of feeding amid dysphagia

More than the Medical Record: The Role of Lived Experience in Dysphagia Care
Raele Donetha Loy, PhD, CCC-SLP

This session will discuss person-centered approaches and practical strategies for bridging the gap between what is documented in a patient’s medical record and their lived experiences, cultural context, and social conditions. The speaker will explore the concept of lived experience as a clinical system and discuss how to identify sociocultural misalignments in care. The session will include case-based examples, reflection opportunities, and documentation strategies. This session brings a novel, systems-level lens to swallowing care by positioning lived experience as a vital source of clinical data. (This session can count toward the ASHA certification maintenance professional development requirement for CC/DEI.)

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • list characteristics of the lived experience that can place patients at an increased risk of inequitable dysphagia care
  • draft person-centered clinical documentation that incorporates social and cultural considerations
  • recommend resources to support person-centered dysphagia care practices in health care systems

The Clinical Swallow Examination: Step-by-Step Guidance for Immediate Clinical Translation
Kendrea Garand, PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

This session will review the clinical utility of the clinical swallow examination (CSE), including a step-by-step review through the components that contribute to a comprehensive examination. The presenter will discuss clinical decision-making for judgements regarding swallow safety and efficiency in managing the patient's plan of care. The session will include videos to enhance learning and retention.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • describe the purpose of the CSE, including its advantages and limitations for informing a care plan
  • explain the procedures to implement a comprehensive CSE
  • interpret findings of a comprehensive CSE to inform a patient's care plan

Clinical Swallowing Exams: Strengths and Limitations
Kendrea Garand, PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

This session will explore the strengths and limitations for interpreting clinical swallow examination (CSE) results, including implications for dysphagia management in adult populations across clinical settings. The speaker will contrast CSEs with instrumental swallow examinations and share resources to maximize clinical usefulness of the clinical swallow exam. Note: This course was originally offered as part of the 2022 online conference Controversies and Consensus in Dysphagia Management—and is currently available as an on-demand session as part of the ASHA Learning Pass (PD102468).

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • list components of a comprehensive clinical swallow examination
  • explain the limitations of a clinical swallow examination
  • contrast clinical usefulness of a clinical swallow examination with an instrumental examination

Enhancing the Impact of Instrumental Assessments for Managing Dysphagia in Adults
Nancy Swigert, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Instrumental exams can provide crucial information necessary to manage dysphagia in adults. SLPs need to combine their understanding of physiology with multiple related factors to determine if an instrumental exam is needed, which exam is indicated, when it is needed, and why. Then they must use effective communication and documentation to explain the rationale for recommendations and findings to the patient, family, and other team members. In addition, SLPs need to ensure effective collaboration between the professional who performs the instrumental exam and the treating SLP. In this course, you’ll learn to address the many important factors and improve collaboration, communication, and documentation as you apply information obtained through instrumental exams. Note: This course is currently available as an on-demand webinar as part of the ASHA Learning Pass (PD102838).

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • analyze pertinent related factors when determining if, when, and why an instrumental exam is needed
  • document and communicate the rationale for recommendations to the patient, family, and other team members
  • document and communicate findings from an instrumental exam to the patient, family, and other team members
  • apply information gained from instrumental exams to management of dysphagia

From Symptom to System: Addressing Dysphagia-Related Risk Through Holistic Prevention
Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald, PhD, CCC-SLP, SLP(C)

This session will explore preventing dysphagia-related illness by considering the whole person and their environment, not just their symptoms. The speaker will examine how individual, environmental, and health care system factors can either increase risks or help prevent problems. Drawing on current research and theoretical frameworks, the session will discuss common concerns including aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, oral hygiene, frailty, and psychosocial well-being, as well as highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration for holistic prevention. The speaker will use a clinical case example to discuss real-world application.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • identify contributors to dysphagia-related illness
  • rate risk factors from high to low risk
  • explain how risk factors contribute to dysphagia and dysphagia-related illness
  • apply a biopsychosocial approach to care

Preventing Dysphagia-Related Illness: Addressing Individualized Risk Factors
Aaron Padilla, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

This session will discuss the range of risk factors and possible outcomes for patients with swallowing disorders. The session will explore how to identify each patient's level of risk and specific risk factors, work effectively with other health care professionals, and focus on modifiable factors that can be improved.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • identify modifiable and non-modifiable factors from case history for patients with swallowing disorders
  • utilize a clinical framework to provide education to patients and care partners about the odds of an adverse event for individuals with swallowing disorders
  • determine which specialists on the medical team to engage in collaboration for patients with swallowing disorders

Exercise-Based Treatment for Dysphagia Management: Principles and Evidence
Michelle S. Troche, PhD, CCC-SLP

This session will explain the key concepts of strength training, motor learning, and brain adaptability (neuroplasticity) and how SLPs can integrate them into dysphagia treatment. The speaker will discuss how these principles can help SLPs develop dysphagia management plans that result in robust, generalizable, and maintained improvements to swallowing and cough in patients with dysphagia.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • discuss three practical ways to apply principles of strength training to dysphagia management
  • discuss three practical ways to apply principles of motor learning to dysphagia management
  • discuss three practical ways to apply principles of neuroplasticity to dysphagia management

Critical Factors in Dysphagia Treatment Planning and Delivery
Molly Knigge, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Dysphagia treatment is a dynamic process born of targeted, individualized assessment. Competency in treatment planning and delivery requires clinicians to navigate multiple factors that influence outcomes. This session will explore patient, clinician, treatment, and timing factors that are critical in optimizing planning and execution. The session will include opportunities for self-assessment in each of these factor domains and encourage participants to consider their individual clinical strengths and learning needs for expanding competency in dysphagia treatment delivery.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • list three patient factors that indicate potential for better dysphagia treatment outcomes
  • describe clinician factors that may negatively influence dysphagia treatment
  • discuss three biofeedback treatment approaches that can provide objective representation of swallow performance

To Thicken or Not to Thicken? Review of the Evidence on Diet Texture Modification
Catriona M. Steele, PhD, CCC-SLP, S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO, F-ESSD

This session will review key evidence from the literature regarding diet texture modification in dysphagia management. The speaker will discuss current practice and debate regarding texture modification, how consistency impacts swallowing function and physiology, effectiveness of thickened liquids for reducing aspiration, and risks associated with aspiration of thickened liquids. The speaker will also share resources and tools for empowering patients and caregivers to select foods and drinks that are likely to improve swallowing safety and efficiency.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • explain to a patient/family why thin liquids are most likely to enter the airway and how thicker liquids lower this risk
  • advocate for instrumental swallowing exams to confirm effectiveness and rule out risks associated with thickened liquids in a patient who is suspected to aspirate thin liquids
  • describe to a colleague how bolus volume and liquid thickness interact to increase or decrease the likelihood of pharyngeal residue
  • teach a patient/caregiver how to perform the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative tests to determine liquid thickness as well as food hardness, particle size, and stickiness

From Consultation to Collaboration: An Interdisciplinary Approach for Diet Modifications for Patients With Dysphagia
Marilouise E. Nichols, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

This session will highlight how SLPs can utilize diet modification as an effective dysphagia management tool. Learn how SLPs can improve collaboration with interdisciplinary team members—particularly patients and their families—to move toward less-restrictive diet modification recommendations.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • identify key members of the interdisciplinary team for dysphagia management
  • summarize the importance of informed consent from patient/family regarding diet modifications
  • list three negative patient impacts of over-modifications of diets

Dysphagia, Ethics, and Tough Conversations: Counseling Strategies for Balancing Risk and Patient Choice
Amanda Stead, PhD, CCC-SLP, CHSE

Navigating difficult conversations in dysphagia management requires both ethical reasoning and strong counseling skills. This session will equip SLPs with strategies to facilitate challenging discussions with medical teams, patients, and families regarding NPO recommendations, risk tolerance, and care goals. The speaker will explore how to balance patient autonomy with medical concerns while addressing disagreements among stakeholders. The session will include practical techniques and case studies that demonstrate effective communication skills to manage emotions, align care teams, and support shared decision-making in complex swallowing care scenarios. (This session can count toward the ASHA certification maintenance professional development requirement for Ethics.)

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • apply counseling techniques to challenging clinical scenarios by integrating principles of shared decision-making, ethical reasoning, and provider alignment to support patient-centered dysphagia management
  • critically evaluate ethical considerations in dysphagia management by exploring the balance between patient autonomy, risk management, and interdisciplinary decision-making in complex swallowing care cases

Honoring the Individual: Supporting Dignity and Quality of Life in End-of-Life Care
Brittany Horvath, SLPD, CCC-SLP, and Marissa James, EdD, CScD, CCC-SLP

This session will focus on managing dysphagia in individuals with advanced illnesses, emphasizing the balance of clinical needs with emotional and ethical considerations in end-of-life care. Speakers will share case scenarios as a basis for exploring effective, compassionate care that promotes dignity and comfort. (This session can count toward the ASHA certification maintenance professional development requirement for Ethics.)

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • describe how SLPs contribute to end-of-life care by supporting individualized communication and swallowing needs in a way that aligns with each person's values, goals, and definition of quality of life
  • implement person-centered, ethically sound strategies for dysphagia management that prioritize dignity, comfort, and quality of life in individuals with advanced illness
  • demonstrate meaningful communication and decision-making through compassionate interactions with patients, families, and care teams that reflect respect for autonomy and emotional well-being at the end of life

Measuring What Matters: Progress Monitoring and Discharge Decisions in Dysphagia Management
Debra Suiter, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

This session will share practical strategies for determining when to discharge patients with dysphagia, including how to accurately measure progress and adjust treatment plans. The speaker will discuss shared decision-making, timing of reassessment, and evaluating progress using objective assessment tools. The session will share insights into using structured frameworks to assess discharge readiness, emphasizing patient-centered care approaches.

After completing this session, you will be able to:

  • define measurable indicators of progress in dysphagia treatment
  • identify when reassessment and discharge from treatment are appropriate
  • apply clinical frameworks and shared decision-making when working with individuals with dysphagia
"I loved how there were different perspectives on the same subject. I liked the tips and practical strategies that were provided."
Past ASHA Professional Development online conference participant

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