Introduction:
The swallowing mechanism as a whole is primarily comprised of three interrelated phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. While SLPs have historically focused on the oral and pharyngeal phases, there has been a growing movement to include the esophageal phase into our scope of practice. In 2004, ASHA’s Guidelines for Speech Language Pathologists Performing Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies endorsed an esophageal view in the upright position during the VFSS stating, “Speech-language pathologists have the knowledge and skills to recognize patient signs and symptoms associated with esophageal dysphagia.” It is noted that if esophageal dysphagia is suspected after a thorough clinical history is taken, “an esophageal screening may be incorporated into most videofluoroscopic swallowing studies” (ASHA, 2004).
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