Dysphagia may indicate the following risks:

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• Lack of weight gain and growth;

• Dehydration and malnutrition;

• Food and liquid aspirated into the airways (lungs);

• Pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.

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  Food selectivity and refusal may be associated with pain, frustration, embarrassment, lack of interest in food, sensory difficulties and lack of appetite.   Babies and children can suffer from malnutrition and dehydration, directly affecting their   growth curve. This may be inappropriate and below normal limits.

 

If your child shows any of the signs below, look for a speech language therapist. 

• Has sucking and swallowing problems while breastfeeding (     )

• Cry, get irritated during meals (     )

• Sleeps while breastfeeding; gets tired easily when sucking breast or bottle

• Tenses the body by changing the posture of the spine during feeding (     )

• Has breathing difficulties while eating and drinking (     )

• Refuses to eat and drink (     )

• Eats only certain consistencies, like more pasty or crunchy foods (     )

• It takes a long time to eat (     )

• Keeps food residues inside the oral cavity (     )

• Has trouble chewing; one-sided chewing (     )

• Has gagging, coughing, or vomiting sensation (gag reflex)

• Produces a lot of saliva, or fluid drips from the mouth or nose (      )

• Presents change in voice (hoarseness) during or after meals (     )

• Occurrence of vomiting and need to spit up during meals (     ) 

• Feels extremely full, heavy, fatigued during meals (     )

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Source: ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association)

 

In the medical prescription for speech therapy, the pediatrician must mention in German the diagnosis Dysphagia or Swallowing Disorder (Schluckstörung). 

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In case of Feeding Disorder the doctor should mention Fütterstörung.