Signs of Swallowing Impairment

Difficulty managing solid foods

• Cannot bite off a piece of solid food
• Does not chew solids
• Chews very slowly
• Avoids solid foods requiring chewing
• Pocketing of food in cheeks
• Difficulty moving solids to the back of the mouth
• Holds food in mouth for a long time before swallowin
• Coughing or gagging before, during or after a swallow
• Residuals in oral cavity after the swallow
• Loss of food or liquid from the mouth

Difficulty managing solid foods

• Inability to extract liquids from a straw
• Takes a long time to swallow
• Coughing before, during or after the swallow
• Wet voice quality after the swallow
• Hoarse voice after the swallow

Difficulty managing solid foods

• Trouble managing oral secretions
• Drooling
• Getting distracted from eating / needs to be reminded food is in mouth
• Difficulty taking oral medications
• Inability to maintain upright or semi-reclined position
• Inability to maintain neutral head position
• Complaining of pain or discomfort when swallowing
• Recent changes in vocal quality
• History of a neurodegenerative disorder