Session Descriptions for ASHA Health Care Summit 2026: Grand Rounds in Pediatric Aerodigestive Disorders

Transforming Uncertainty Into Confidence

Swallowing is Aerodigestive: The Multidisciplinary Approach
Matthew T. Brigger, MD, MPH; Kara Larson, MS, CCC-SLP; and Soma Kumar, MD

Because of the unique development of the pediatric airway and swallowing mechanism, dysphagia is frequently a comorbidity in children with aerodigestive disorders. This session will provide an overview of the aerodigestive approach to multidisciplinary care and the central role of the SLP on the team.

You will be able to:

• identify the medical, surgical, swallowing, and airway characteristics of an aerodigestive patient
• describe the aerodigestive approach to multidisciplinary care and how this team-based approach differs from other medical models of care
• describe the central role of the SLP as the feeding and swallowing expert on an interprofessional aerodigestive team

The Aerodigestive Lens: A Case Study to Anchor Interprofessional Practice
Naomi Lowe, MS, CCC-SLP; Ethan Frank, MD; Daniel Lesser, MD; Andrew Dickerson, MD; and Sandra Salzedo, RD

Using a case-based format, members of an interprofessional team will systematically demonstrate their aerodigestive approach to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of medically and surgically complex patients with breathing and swallowing disorders. Case study walk-through and subsequent discussions will focus on the multidisciplinary considerations and collaboration that guide high-level patient care. Anticipate a lively discussion with audience participation and interaction actively encouraged.

You will be able to:

• provide three examples of how an aerodigestive team functions to support patient care
• describe two ways interprofessional collaboration positively influences the case study patient’s outcome

Say No to NPO! Consequential Aspiration
Kimberly Morris, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, IBCLC; Katlyn E. McGrattan, PhD, CCC-SLP; and Aparna Rao, MD

Aspiration in a medically complex patient and the decision to continue oral feeding are often seen as counterintuitive. This panel discussion will help you break the cycle of the dreaded instrumental assessment that "makes the developing child NPO"! Experts share perspectives and experiences that address the nuance of consequential aspiration in the setting of respiratory health. Panelists will challenge you to question dogma and embrace a patient- and family-centered perspective on shared decision-making when faced with clinical uncertainty.

You will be able to:

• define consequential aspiration and describe associated respiratory morbidity
• identify two strategies to evaluate a child as a whole and engage in shared decision-making with the interprofessional team and caregivers
• describe communication strategies for discussions with non-aerodigestive providers to support therapeutic oral feeding in a setting of known aspiration on an instrumental evaluation

My Belly Hurts: Feeding Intolerance and Tube Transitions
Andrew Dickerson, MD; Amy Obenauer, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S; Naomi Lowe, MS, CCC-SLP; and Lauren Jalali, MS, RD, LDN

Take a deep dive into differential diagnosis of feeding intolerance and tube feeding management with a panel of interprofessional experts. Explore how feeding intolerance and tube feeding transitions influence aerodigestive team facilitation of patient growth and how the SLP can support short- and long-term oral feeding progression.

You will be able to:

• identify two signs of feeding intolerance in an aerodigestive patient
• describe the role of the SLP n supporting feeding tolerance and growth
• list two treatment approaches to support positive oral feeding progression in a patient with signs of feeding intolerance

The Plot Thickens: Aerodigestive Care With More Confounders
Amy S. Faherty, MS, CCC-SLP; Tzyynong L. Friesen, MD; and Soma Kumar, MD

As part of a small group, explore increasingly complex case studies and apply Rady Children’s aerodigestive approach in real time. Employ the strategies and interventions you’ve learned so far and use active discussion to problem-solve collectively with the interprofessional team and your peers.

You will be able to:

• employ the interprofessional aerodigestive approach in managing dysphagia as part of complex care of children in an aerodigestive clinic
• describe two comorbidities that influence swallowing outcomes in children with dysphagia

Instrumentals and Beyond: FEES in Action With Real-Time Clinical Reasoning
Numan Demir, PhD; and Katy Peck, MA, CCC-SLP, CLE, BCS-S

Join a small group of interprofessional experts and your peers to practice instrumental assessment skills through simulated practice, guided discussion, and deductive reasoning. Observe and practice expert-led simulated endoscopy and interpretation of complex videofluoroscopy to gain advanced experience in instrumental techniques.

You will be able to:

• identify two techniques utilized when performing FEES during breastfeeding to support patient and clinician comfort
• identify two techniques to identify signs of a laryngeal cleft during a VFSS and FEES

Using Your Tool Kit
Kara Larson, MS, CCC-SLP; Naomi Lowe, MS, CCC-SLP; and Camille Zaman, MS, CCC-SLP

As part of a small group, practice hands-on interventions to augment your clinical tool kit and deliver thorough and effective dysphagia assessment and treatment for patients with complex aerodigestive disorders. Move through interactive stations that offer expert-led, guided learning of strategies to support infant breastfeeding and bottle feeding, provide caregiver instruction on complex educational topics like diet modification using the IDDSI framework, and manage skills for special populations including one-way speaking valves and transtracheal pressure measurements.

You will be able to:

• describe the sequence for obtaining accurate pre- and post-breastfeeding weights in inpatient and outpatient settings
• list two ways transtracheal pressures can be utilized in the aerodigestive clinic
• list two parent education tools for accurately modifying diets using the IDDSI framework

Wish We Could Do That Again: Difficult Cases
Naomi Lowe, MS, CCC-SLP; Matthew T. Brigger, MD, MPH; Aparna Rao, MD; and Andrew Dickerson, MD

Every provider has that case they wish they could work through again, but a cornerstone of coordinated multidisciplinary care is constant appraisal of outcomes. Interprofessional success is born from self-reflection and constructive feedback on decision-making. Learn alongside the interprofessional team as they review previous difficult cases and walk through how they would have approached clinical care differently as their knowledge and comfort as a team has grown.

You will be able to:

• analyze complex, previously managed interprofessional cases to identify how evolving team knowledge, role clarity, and communication strategies can alter clinical decision-making and patient outcomes
• apply structured self-reflection and constructive interprofessional feedback to reassess past clinical decisions and inform future coordinated care planning within multidisciplinary teams

What Families Want You to Know: Voices From the Aerodigestive Journey
Virginia Floco, PA-C

Multidisclipinary care benefits from shared decision-making and aligning goals with the caregiver. The voice of the caregiver is powerful and can shape clinician perspectives and influence future outcomes. This caregiver-focused panel explores the aerodigestive experience through the eyes of parents whose children have been Rady Children’s patients, providing perspective on the family’s journey through diagnosis and treatment.

You will be able to:

• describe two methods to include parent engagement in care plans
• describe two emotional support systems available to families who have children with complex breathing and swallowing disorders