Do you remember the “blue girl”??? Believe it or not, it’s been 6 years since the Dysphagia Summit was held and 5 years since the Dysphagia Resource Directory was produced and distributed. As people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) age and live longer than ever before, they may become more inclined to acquire eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties contributing to dysphagia-related symptoms.

Pennsylvania’s Southeast Regional Task Force has reconvened to review and revise the informational material printed in the current version of the Dysphagia Resource Directory. The task force includes representatives from provider agencies who are currently using the “Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Checklist” created in conjunction with the resource directory, along with county and clinical staff. Task force members are sharing policies and forms used in their own agencies that serve people with dysphagia.

New information regarding dysphagia including food textures, adaptive feeding equipment and medications is currently being collected and will be included in the revised version of the Dysphagia Resource Directory. Competency-based guidelines and best practices also are being created to help support people diagnosed with dysphagia. All the new information will be compiled and shared via a new training curriculum through PCHC.

Look for the new and improved version of the Dysphagia Resource Directory coming soon!

If you are interested in becoming a participant of the SE Regional Dysphagia Task Force, contact Melissa DiSipio, Assistant Director at mdisipio@pmhcc.org