[Dysphagia] RE: E-stim for dysphagia

[eripley at yahoo.com (Irene Campbell-Taylor)]

Sylvia Banach <sabanach@yahoo.com> wrote:
May I ask how this varies when assessing an individual who is deaf and blind, nonverbal, with an
IQ under 5?


I'm not certain I understand the question but those who have taken my course on assessment will attest that it is based entirely on history, close observation, as well as some physical examination. Precisely because many patients, young and old, are incapable of either understanding or responding to instructions, I do not use them for the major part of the assessment. If one knows what to look for, the signs that identify the source of the symptom - dysphagia- are obvious. In the case you describe, I would expect some very clear identifying eye signs, motor involvement etc perhaps indicating the fundamnental neurological impairment. Those who have taken one of my workshops lear how to identify such things as brain stem damage in about ten minutes of directed observation and the use of a printed document that allows specification of the nerves and muscles affected.

I was recently involved as a witness in a court case that included an individual exactly as you describe who, as it turned out, was capable of swallowing appropriate consistencies perfectly well as indicated by observation, and physical examination.

I hope this answers your question.

Irene.



Dr I Campbell-Taylor
Clinical Neuroscientist
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