A speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in swallowing disorders can evaluate individuals who are experiencing problems eating and drinking. The SLP will
- take a careful history of medical conditions and symptoms
- look at the strength and movement of the muscles involved in swallowing
- observe feeding to see posture, behavior, and oral movements during eating and drinking
- possibly perform special tests to evaluate swallowing, such as
- modified barium swallow – individual eats or drinks food or liquid with barium in it, and then the swallowing process is viewed on an X-ray
- endoscopic assessment – a lighted scope is inserted through the nose, and then the swallow can be viewed on a screen
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