The UI Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic offers services to address swallowing impairments (dysphagia) resulting from a variety of causes including: natural aging, neurological disorders (stroke, brain injury, degenerative diseases), or head and neck cancer.

During the visit, the graduate student clinician will perform a swallowing evaluation, if one has not been completed already. Based on the results, they may utilize a combination of compensatory techniques and direct treatment strategies to improve the safety and efficiency of oral intake.

The compensatory techniques target increased control of the swallow to protect the airway and reduce the risk of aspiration and aspiration-associated symptoms. Direct treatment strategies focus on exercises to improve range of motion, coordination, and muscle strengthening to improve swallow function.

The graduate student clinicians will provide education and counseling regarding the evaluation and plan of treatment for the client, family, significant other, and/or caretakers as in integral part of the treatment progress.