Weaning Thickeners in the Pediatric Population
Presented by Allison Brown
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Clinicians are often knowledgeable about the use of thickeners for swallowing safety; however, there is limited information to help clinicians wean children from thickened liquids. Clinicians can struggle to determine when and how to safely wean a child from thickened liquids while also feeling comfortable guiding families during the weaning process. This intermediate-level course will provide clinicians with the resources they need to support the child and family while weaning the child off thickened liquids. Participants will feel comfortable identifying children who are appropriate for weaning, accurately interpreting instrumental-assessment findings to develop a treatment plan, and applying principles to wean thickened liquids effectively and safely.
Learning Objectives
- Choose appropriate candidates for thickening weaning
- Apply instrumental-assessment findings to individualized treatment planning
- Examine principles of weaning from thickened liquids in relation to safe feeding practices
- Analyze the value of involving caregivers in the thickener weaning process
Meet your instructor
Allison Brown
Allison Tidwell Brown is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders at Children’s Health in Dallas, Texas. Allison is a lead outpatient feeding therapist at Children’s Health and is a member of the multidisciplinary saliva management team and GI tube weaning…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Appropriate Candidates
This chapter will help clinicians determine appropriate candidates for thickening weaning based on medical and developmental history. Clinicians will learn to consider the etiology of the child’s dysphagia that led to a recommendation for thickened liquids. A discussion of the downsides of thickening and reasons to wean, as well as the psychosocial impact of tube-feeding on the child and family, will be included.
2. Developing an Individualized Therapy Plan
This chapter will help clinicians interpret instrumental-assessment findings, develop individualized treatment plans, and progress children through the weaning process. A discussion of the etiology of dysphagia from instrumental assessment, as well as the incorporation of family dynamics into treatment planning, will be covered.
3. Case Study
This chapter will present a case study to illustrate thickener weaning principles. Clinicians will learn how to monitor children throughout the weaning process and to communicate with the interdisciplinary team to support outcomes. An emphasis will be placed on involving and supporting caregivers in the process of weaning from thickened liquids.
