SWALLOWORKS, Char Boshart

Do you work with swallowing problems? Or want to?  Okay then, what do you think about this statement?  “We use our mouth for swallowing and for speaking, so they’re pretty much the same type of function, right?”  Well, sort of.

Here’s my take:

Swallowing is short in duration; speaking is an endurance function.

Swallowing occurs behind closed lips; speech would smother behind closed lips.

Swallowing necessitates pre-swallow intra-oral suctioning; speech is immediate.

A swallow's reason for being is to propel contents to the tummy; speech gives content a voice and a means of expression and communication.

Swallowing only occurs when necessary; speech occurs at the whim of a thought, or less.

With that said, swallowing is relatively complex, extremely interesting, and although we use the same oral components, swallowing is actually quite a bit different from speaking. Effective, quality therapy requires the knowledge of underlying and relevant principles to personalize treatment. An extensive rationale base therapy instructions Advancement criteria A swallow comparisons chart, and Numerous swallowing generalization tasks At the heart of the program are twelve detailed, child-friendly lessons and practice sheets. 

All of this in one majorly informative and practical therapy manual (188 pages in a paperback book).

Written by Char Boshart, M.A., CCC-SLP