Dysphagia Management for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Practitioner Identified Processes, Barriers and Solutions

Abstract

Background: Dysphagia is a significant problem for adults with intellectual disabilities which has received sparse attention in the research literature. Little is currently documented about how dysphagia management operates and the barriers and associated strategies to address barriers utilised in practice. Method: A brief survey containing open ended questions was completed by 38 practitioners about the way their service operates, the barriers they have faced in providing support around managing dysphagia and the solutions and strategies they have found useful. Results & Conclusions: The process of dysphagia management typically involved referral and assessment, development of an intervention strategy, communication and negotiation, education and training in safe dysphagia management and monitoring, evaluation and re-assessment. Barriers were numerous but stakeholder beliefs, knowledge and feelings underpinned many of them. Solutions varied but similarly were underpinned by good communication, building relationships, person centred practice and responsivity, pragmatism and innovation in training and disseminating dysphagia management information