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Information Center

Signs Individuals Show with Problems Swallowing?

  1. Refusing to eat and/or drink

  2. Change in eating habits, or avoidance of certain foods/drinks

  3. Coughing, choking or gagging during or after eating or drinking;

  4. Wet or 'gurgly' voice during or after meals

  5. Increase congestion, noisy breathing or sneezing

  6. Runny nose or watery eyes during feeding (even when not having 'cold' sickness)

  7. Drooling and/or poor oral management of the food (bolus)

  8. Inability to maintain lip closure, leading to food and/or liquids leaking from the mouth

  9. Food and/or liquids leaking from the nasal cavity (nasopharyngeal regurgitation);

  10. Ineffective chewing, needing extra time to chew or swallow;

  11. Food or liquid remaining in the mouth after the swallow (oral residue);

  12. Complaints of food “sticking” or complaints of a “fullness” in the neck 

  13. Complaints of pain when swallowing (i.e. grimacing, closing eyes)

  14. Difficulty coordinating breathing and swallowing

  15. Acute or recurring aspiration pneumonia/respiratory infection and/or fever

  16. Weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration from not being able to eat enough

  17. Bluish, or red color change in the face, around the eyes or mouth-these color changes may occur quickly or slowly.

What to Bring to a Pediatric Swallow Study

  1. A hungry child: Typically it is recommended your child have nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to the study. If on tube feeds, pause feeds 2 hours prior but first consult with your PCP first before stopping tube feeds.

  2. Drinking cups: Please bring current bottle(s), 'sippy' cup and/or straw cup that are being used for all feedings at home.

  3. Seating: Please have available any special seating used for all meals

What if individual has allergies or special food preferences?

  1. Special foods: We have pudding, applesauce and dissolvable solids (i.e. Saltine Crackers or cookies)

  2. If the Patient has food Allergies or Specific Food Choices: Please bring all your own foods

  3. Bring foods that are difficult or food you desire to be evaluated. We will try to use those foods if appropriate.

What Questions will the VFSS Answer ?

  1. How well a person swallows foods and liquids

  2. Which parts of the mouth and throat may not be working right

  3. What kinds of foods are safest to swallow

  4. Whether liquids need to be changed (thickened or down grade) to improve safety

  5. Determine certain positions or strategies that will help one to swallow better. 

Ages we serve

  • We evaluate Children to Adults.

  • The child must be able to sit in a highchair/booster without any physical assistance needed. The child may use a positioning chair, high back highchair with a 5 point harness.

  • Adult need to be able to sit in a chair or wheelchair (NO Geri-chair because they do not fit on the van's lift.)

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