Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)
in Branford & Oxford, CT

Does your child have difficulties with swallowing food or drinks? Do they frequently cough or gag during meals, or get anxious about having to eat? These are signs of swallowing disorders, like dysphagia, which can affect a child’s overall health and wellbeing. Keep reading to learn more about dysphagia and how our pediatric therapists at More to Say can help your child overcome their swallowing challenges to enjoy mealtimes with confidence.

What Is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing, which can affect a child’s ability to eat and drink safely and efficiently. It may involve challenges with any part of the swallowing process. In fact, there are three different types of dysphagia that describe which part of this process is having trouble:

  1. Oral dysphagia – difficulty chewing food into small enough pieces in the mouth
  2. Oropharyngeal dysphagia – difficulty moving food to the back of the mouth (the oropharynx, where the tonsils are) and initiating swallowing 
  3. Esophageal dysphagia – difficulty moving the food down the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach)

Common Signs and Symptoms of Dysphagia

The most common signs of dysphagia in children include:

What Are the Risk Factors for Dysphagia?

There are several common conditions that can increase a child’s risk of developing dysphagia, including:

How Pediatric Therapy Helps Children with Dysphagia

At More to Say, we believe that children learn best through a supportive, family-centered approach. After your child’s comprehensive evaluation, our pediatric therapists will create a personalized treatment plan to address their swallowing challenges. Through proven therapy techniques, we can address the underlying causes of your child’s swallowing disorder and help them develop the feeding skills they need to enjoy mealtimes with the family.

Our goal is to support your child’s healthy development through fun, engaging, and proven therapy methods. To support that goal, we take a holistic viewpoint to ensure your child’s treatment aligns with their needs, interests, and family life. Our distinctive approach motivates children and makes them excited to participate in therapy, which is why our families love the More to Say Way!

Schedule an Evaluation Today

If your child is struggling with dysphagia or any other type of swallowing disorder, our team is here to help. Give us a call at (203) 828-6790 to experience pediatric therapy the More to Say way, and let’s work together to empower your child to live a happy, fulfilling life.

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