ALL Speech Language Pathologists working with Children with Dysphagia

You are invited along with other expert SLPs to participate in a survey regarding relevance and feasibility of potential items to be included in a dysphagia screen for survivors of pediatric stroke. The survey ‘Generating Screening Items for a Novel Pediatric Dysphagia Tool’ is part of a doctoral research study in The Swallowing Lab at the University of Toronto. Institutional ethics approval has been obtained.

The survey may take up to 30 minutes to complete.

The goal of this study is to create a dysphagia screening tool to be used in acute care for pediatric patients following stroke. This tool is to be used by health professionals such as nurses (trained by an SLP) to complete bedside screening for children with suspected dysphagia at the bedside.

Patients will include all children (up to 18 years) who were receiving oral feedings* prior to stroke regardless of age or developmental stage.
*By ‘oral feedings’ we are referring to any food by mouth that was beyond nipple feedings.

In order to derive the appropriate items, we would like to hear from all SLPs practicing in pediatric dysphagia.

Your participation in this survey is voluntary. Responses will be kept confidential. Your responses will be used for statistical purposes only and will be reported in aggregated form.

The survey will present each potential screening item with a few questions regarding relevance and feasibility. At the end of the survey, if you believe any potential items are missing, you will be asked to add your suggestions.

Please email Victoria Sherman at victoria.currie@mail.utoronto.ca to receive the survey link, or clarify any questions.

Thank you for providing your input!

Victoria Sherman, PhD Candidate, SLP (C) Reg. CASLPO
Rosemary Martino, PhD, SLP (C) Reg. CASLPO, CCC-SLP, ASHA-Fellow