These SIG 13 articles underscore the importance of being up to date of dysphagia intervention as the diagnosis has many complexities in assessment and treatment. Larsen et al. surmise that current characteristics and physiological rationale may overestimate the skills required for gelatin-based desserts and inappropriately classify them as nontransitional foods. Therefore, as with all products, individual gelatin-based desserts should be tested at the time of presentation to the patient. Mancopes et al. discuss the importance of strategies for facilitating safe and functional bottle feeding in children with dysphagia include selecting nipples that reduce flow rate, pacing, altered positioning, and thickening liquid consistencies. Their study aims to determine the impact of slightly thick liquids on swallowing through retrospective review of a convenience sample of clinical videofluoroscopies (VFSS) from 60 bottle-fed children (21 male, mean age 9.9 months) referred due to suspected aspiration. Garand et al. perform a retrospective analysis of persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using modified barium swallow studies and recommend use of functional scales to help evaluate and treat this special population.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• complete International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative testing with gelatin-based products in clinical settings
• describe the effect of slightly thick liquids on rates of penetration in bottle-fed children
• list two clinical assessment tools to document amyotrophic lateral sclerosis severity

Assessment Type
Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

Articles in This Course

1. Characterizing Gelatin-Based Desserts Using International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Testing Methods by Deirdre Larsen, Mathew Vansant, and Meghan Eisenhardt, published in SIG 13, Published online December 20, 2023
2. The Effectiveness of Slightly Thick Liquids for Improving Swallowing in Bottle-Fed Children With Aerodigestive Concerns by Renata Mancopes, Cheryl J. Hersh, Rebecca Baars, Vanessa Panes, Jessica Sorbo, Danielle Sutton, Melanie Peladeau-Pigeon, Mary S. Fracchia, and Catriona M. Steele, published in SIG 13, Published online December 15, 2023
3. Linking Oropharyngeal Swallowing Physiology and Functional Clinical Predictors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by Kendrea L. (Focht) Garand, Angela M. Malek, and Kevin Renz Ambrocio, published in SIG 13, Published online December 12, 2023