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Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Dysphagia

Eating and drinking is a complex development process. Our post-master's 15-credit Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Dysphagia trains SLPs and OTs to diagnose and treat swallowing disorders in children. Created by master clinicians and experts in this specialized practice area, the program is intended for currently practicing speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists. This post-graduate, post-licensing program is unique in that it offers a comprehensive package of continuing education credits covering pediatric dysphagia.

An Overview of Pediatric Dysphagia

Eating and drinking are daily activities that are necessary for survival, but for some children, eating and drinking is not such a simple task. Between 25%-45% of typically developing children demonstrate feeding and swallowing problems. The incidence of such problems is even higher (30%-80%) for children with developmental disorders.

These problems can have severe consequences, such as growth failure, malnutrition, dehydration and increased susceptibility to chronic illness. These disorders are more common due to improved survival rates of children born prematurely, with low birth weight, and with complex medical conditions

Medical-Based Training for Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists

As one of the few medically based speech-language pathology programs in the country, we are uniquely positioned to give SLPs and OTs the knowledge and skills they need to assess and treat these feeding and swallowing disorders in newborns, toddlers and children. Few practicing clinicians have had the opportunity to take coursework specifically designed to address the clinical needs of this population. Fewer than a handful of graduate programs in the U.S. offer comprehensive coursework in dysphagia in children.  

Program Format

The Pediatric Dysphagia program takes place fully online, with a fall start. This cohort-based certificate program follows a part-time schedule, with two courses in the fall and spring semesters respectively, and one in the summer. Our asynchronous class format is designed for working SLPs and OTs and allows you to attend online classes on your own time. Even online though, there’s plenty of opportunity for real-time, face-to-face contact so you feel like you are part of the classroom. Evening chat sessions are scheduled to discuss the material and allow for live interaction with your professor and classmates.

What You’ll Learn

We’ll cover the following topics and skills during the program:

  • Normal swallow physiology and the factors underlying possible physiological differences and problems
  • Protocols for assessment and treatment in pediatric populations
  • Emphasis on multiple management issues, including cultural differences and parental counseling
  • Ethical considerations, as well as medical compromises
  • Clinical skills training focused on the development of a team-based, comprehensive treatment/management program

ASHA Continuing Education Credits

Upon completion of each academic course, ASHA continuing education is available. Only participants who successfully complete a course and receive academic credit are eligible for ASHA continuing education credit. Visit our page on ASHA CEU for more information.

Curriculum

The Advanced Certificate in Pediatric Dysphagia requires completion of 4 courses and a practicum experience. Completion of this 15-credit certificate requires maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or above for all coursework and practicum combined.

Courses

All four academic courses, and one practicum course, are each 3-credits and required for the program.

Acquisition/Development of Feeding/Swallowing Skills in Children

  

This is a foundational course which provides a thorough understanding of normal swallow physiology including the embryology, anatomy, and physiology of the swallow mechanism in a developmental context from birth to adolescence. The class learns to identify influencing factors on the swallow function such as medical comorbidities, developmental skills, and child engagement. The learning is completed via learning modules that explore the neurobiology of the swallow mechanism; In utero development of feeding and swallowing; normal development: birth to adolescence; developmental care; principles of assessment; and the Introduction to objective assessments. Meaningful assignments aid in the understanding and practical applications of the learning modules. Assignments are created to be beneficial in class and in the SLP’s practice. Evidence-based practice issues are incorporated into all aspects of the course. Interdisciplinary approaches to this area of typical/normal acquisition are discussed.

Feeding/Swallowing Disorders in Pediatric Populations

  

Through this course the principles of assessment are identified to which to explore a variety of disorders of feeding and swallowing possible in children. Beginning to look at presented cases through the lens of a diagnostician incorporating knowledge from Course #6001 Acquisition of feeding and swallowing skills in children. Feeding and swallowing disorders of multiple factors are reviewed for their features, swallowing expectations, and feeding manifestations. Prevalence of expected feeding disorders in specific populations are discussed, including specific syndromes and other medical etiologies. The learning modules build on the medical management of the medically complex pediatric client; education of multifactorial feeding disorders; education of oral dysphagia; education of pharyngeal dysphagia; diagnoses from prematurity through craniofacial disorders including: general information regarding diagnosis and specifics. Specific real-life cases are presented along with specifics related to oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal features. Evidence-based practice issues are incorporated into all aspects of the course. Interdisciplinary approaches to this area of atypical or disordered management are discussed. Meaningful assignments are provided utilizing evidenced based practice and journal article review to support areas of knowledge. Assignments incorporate skills to be adopted into daily SLP practice for future growth.

Comprehensive Assessment and Clinical Writing

  

This course aims to explore the principles of comprehensive clinical feeding and swallowing assessment through clinical observations, developmental checklists as well as up-to-date objective measures available to the clinicians as identified through evidenced based practices. The course content is focused on interdisciplinary approach across settings including neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), inpatient acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, home care, educational/school settings, and outpatient clinics. Principles of instrumental/non-instrumental diagnostic techniques reviewed. Meaningful continuity of care ideas are explored. Assignments aim to build clinical writing skills to achieve thorough case histories, clinical skills to complete comprehensive screening, referrals, and assessments.

Treatment Approaches in Pediatric Feeding Disorders

  

This course provides a thorough review of the principles of creating a plan of care based on the assessments achieved, build on the clinical writing skills to capture the clinical writing in the treatment sessions. Throughout the course there is a review of the evidenced based practices for the provision of treatment for feeding and swallowing disorders in various settings. Specific treatment approaches and of current continuing education opportunities with need for certification or varied levels of training for specific treatment areas are reviewed. Clinical cases are utilized to explore treatment scenarios and engage in discussion of treatment planning options and common issues SLPs experience in their practice.

Clinical Applications of Assessment and Treatment Processes

  

This course aims to apply the principles learned in the academic coursework to case scenarios. Case scenarios and learning objectives are achieved via remote learning modules in which real cases are presented; discussions regarding pertinent features, live Q&A as well as assignments built on the learning opportunities from case discussions

Optional In-person Clinical Experience

The program offers an optional in-person opportunity for students to observe in a neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and conduct feeding/swallowing evaluations and complete required clinical writing tasks in our on-campus outpatient clinic. Expert supervisors work with small groups of students as the clinical services are provided.

Application Requirements

Completed applications are reviewed by faculty members in the Division of Speech-Language Pathology.

In order to be considered for the program, please submit the following:

  • A completed Pediatric Dysphagia Certificate application.
  • Your non-refundable application fee emailed to shsp_admissions@nymc.edu.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
  • Personal Statement explaining why you are interested in earning an advanced certificate in pediatric dysphagia.
  • Documentation of licensure and professional certification or status as a clinical fellow.
  • International applicants who earned a degree outside the U.S. must send credential evaluations to the Office of Admissions.

Please contact the Office of Admissions at (914) 594-4510 if you have any questions about the program or about your submitted application.

Please note the class size is limited to 25 students.