Pediatric Aspiration and Aerodigestive Clinic

This program specializes in managing swallowing and airway problems.

This is a multidisciplinary program that manages infants and children who may have an airway and swallowing disorders.

Services that this clinic may offer include:

• Structured clinical assessment
• Instrumental tests of swallowing called Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of the Swallow (FEES) or Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS - a.k.a. Modified Barium Swallow or MBS), Impedance testing to evaluate a child's ability to eat and swallow safely and comfortably
• Investigations into any associated breathing awake or asleep including sleep studies, airway or gastro-intestinal endoscopies.
• Management options which may include medical treatment, modification of feeding (e.g. changing the thickness of liquids or type of nipple or bottle, surgical need for further investigations or the need for involvement of other specialists

There are two tiers for the program

• The Aspiration Clinic where the assessment is managed by the Speech Language Pathologist and the Otolaryngologist. For more information visit our website.
• The Aerodigestive Clinic where a Pediatric Respirologist and Gastroenterologist joining the other members to provide their services. Additionally Dieticians and Occpation Therapy services are often sought and their members join the team
• The program works closely with Home Nutrition Support Program.

Visit the PEAS (Pediatric Eating and Swallowing) website to find relevant information for families and care providers of children with an eating, feeding and swallowing disorder.