All services can be completed via tele-health or in-person. COVID precautions will be taken for in-person visits. Provider is vaccinated.
Screening and Phone Consultation
Unsure if you, your infant, child or parent needs an evaluation. Dawn M. Sithian will complete a phone consultation with you discussing your concerns. She could screen any videos you have and determine if there is a need for a full feeding and swallowing/Speech and Language evaluation.
Clinical Infant Feeding and Swallowing Evaluation
Infant feeding and swallowing evaluations are comprehensive evaluations of age appropriate levels of feeding. Depending on the age of your infant a variety of assessments could be completed (bottle feedings (determination of best nipple size/flow/bottle type), breast feeding, special needs feeder). The evaluation will include but not limited to an oral motor evaluation, non-nutritive evaluation, nutritive evaluation which will assess the coordination of the suck/swallow/breath, risk of penetration/aspiration, signs of reflux, positioning and feeding schedule. This evaluation will determine best method of feeding and assist with modification of feeding schedule.
Clinical Pediatric Dysphagia Evaluation
A Dysphagia evaluation is a comprehensive evaluation of oral motor skills, oro-sensory skills, feeding skills and the assessment of the oropharyngeal swallow. This evaluation will determine if current diet consistency is developmentally appropriate, assess the risk of choking, assess the risk of penetration/aspiration and to determine if further instrumental assessment is warranted (Modified Barium Swallow or Fiberoptic evaluation of Swallowing). This evaluation will also assess chewing skills and difficulties in the areas of limited food repertoire and transition to age-appropriate textures. An official diagnosis will be made if necessary, diet recommendations, feeding strategies and treatment plan (if needed).
First Time Feeder
First time feeder is an evaluation of oral motor skills, oro-sensory skills, current feeding skills and readiness to transition to solids and beyond. This evaluation will determine three main things 1. The best and safest diet consistency to assist with the transition to purees and eventually solids. 2. How to transition to cup and straw cup drinking. 3. Product recommendations (forks, spoons, hi-chairs, cups) and optimal positioning recommendations. The above will ensure the safest happiest feeding experience as your little one starts their new journey.
Pediatric Speech and Language Evaluations
A Speech and Language evaluation will include the assessment, describing and interpreting an individual’s communication ability. Depending on the child’s age and ability this could include an oral motor evaluation, assessment of the speech articulators, expressive/receptive language skills, reading and writing, and cognitive-linguistic skills such as attention, memory, reasoning and executive function skills.
Clinical Adult Dysphagia Evaluation
A Dysphagia evaluation is a comprehensive evaluation of oral motor skills, oro-sensory skills, feeding skills and assessment of the oropharyngeal swallow. This evaluation will determine if current diet consistency is appropriate, least restrictive diet consistency, assess the risk of penetration/aspiration and to determine if further instrumental assessment is warranted (Modified Barium Swallow or Fiberoptic evaluation of Swallowing). An official diagnosis will be made if necessary, diet recommendations, assistive feeding utensils, feeding strategies and treatment plan (if needed). This evaluation would include quality of life feeding evaluations and management of end of life Dysphagia guidance to assist with a least restrictive diet.
Speech/Language, Feeding and Dysphagia Therapy
Following any one of the above evaluations if it is determined that therapy is warranted a individualized treatment plan will be created with long term and short term goals. A recommended frequency of therapy will be made to target the stated goals to achieve a maximum outcome. Length of therapy is individualized based upon each clients needs.
Trainings (family, caregivers, parents, grandparents, other health professionals)
Trainings can be provided as an add-on service to any of the above assessments. Trainings can be provided to any individual(s) that will be participating in a client’s mealtime that was assessed by Dawn.
Consultant
Review of current documents, evaluations and treatment plans to provide professional opinion and guidance.