[Dysphagia] patient education

[jfurstoss at acmedctr.org (Furstoss, Jeanne ACMC)]

*** It is important to seek evidence based article support if one considers
use of oral motor exercises.  In my experience, use of such exercises
without perhaps firm reasoning or treatment goals, is not limited to
professionals in one discipline, such as PT.

Jeanne Furstoss OTR/L SWC

Velvet wrote: "I am looking for articles or education materials to provide
to parents who have been told incorrectly that oral motor exercises will
strengthen and reduce low tone.  I find it sad and alarming that I am
encountering PTs who are giving patients advice on doing oral motor
exercises when they are not educated in this area and are giving false
information about what doing oral motor exercises can do.  It is
particularly difficult because the parents trust this PT entirely and I
while I don't want to overwhelm these parents with technical jargon, but
need to explain the differences in physiology between facial muscles and
skeletal muscles in a way that will make sense and be authoritative.  Any
suggestions?"