City Research Online

Abstract

Introduction
Speech and Language Therapists work with children who have neurodisability and dysphagia (neurodevelopmental dysphagia). They advise parents, providing personalised recommendations to support mealtime safety and enjoyment e.g., changing food textures. However, parents do not always notice signs of difficulty or follow the recommendations, and we are not sure which strategies are used to help parents follow mealtime recommendations.

Methods
This protocol for an observational mealtime study aims to recruit 10 parent-child dyads. The participants will be school-aged children with neurodevelopmental dysphagia who require mealtime assistance. Following identification, recruitment and informed consent the dyads will be visited at home. The parent-child dyad will have their typical assisted mealtime while it is video recorded (two views, child close-up and dyad) while simultaneously audio-recording swallow sounds via a neck microphone. Child views will be obtained and field notes gathered. Subsequently the parent will receive the dyad video to watch and consider. Then the parent and researcher will review the video together audio-recording their discussion. This meeting will use video stimulated recall, reflection and dialogue to uncover tacit knowledge, decision-making and feelings. Parent and child demographic, including current SLT mealtime recommendations will be collected. Full ethical approval is being sought with protocol registration.

Results
This rich data will be analysed in multiple qualitative approaches. These video clinical feeding evaluation and severity rating of dysphagia, audio swallow sound evaluation, parent-child interaction analysis, directed content analysis of the mealtime guidelines targets and techniques, determination of family-carer adherence to recommendations. In addition, a detailed exploration of the experience, feelings and decision-making of family-carers and children when assisting mealtimes.

Discussion
This work will provide valuable information about school-aged dysphagia mealtime recommendations from the perspective and experience of parents and children. Findings are part of a wider project aiming to create a mealtime recommendation toolkit for families of children who need assistance with eating and drinking.

Publication Type:	Poster
Additional Information:	Presented at: Europeean Society of Swallowing Disorders Congress 2023 on 1 December 2023.
Subjects:	R Medicine > RF Otorhinolaryngology R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Language & Communication Science
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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