CMRO Choking Prevention and Dysphagia Diets at CMRO on Aug. 13 

Dysphagia affects 65% of people with Developmental Disabilities.  If ignored, it can lead to dehydration and even death.   Agency Trainers and nurses are invited to attend this training to receive tips and techniques to provide in-house training sessions to be given to direct support staff.

 This Train-the-Trainer workshop will provide an overview and rationale for the concepts pertinent to train others, with DDA- recommended guidelines, that include training direct support staff working with individuals with a known swallowing disorder, individuals with altered texture diets, individuals with a behavior plan which addresses eating behaviors, food stealing and pica, and individuals who may be at risk for choking.

 This session will be part lecture, but much will include demonstration and practice of feeding someone & being fed, food preparation techniques such as chopped, ground, pureed, and the use of thickening agents to achieve varied liquid consistencies.   All participants will get the CD with the PowerPoint presentation.

Presenter:  Kristina Kubistal Meeks, MA, CCC, Speech-Language Pathologist

Kristina has been working with Rehabilitiation Service, Inc, since 2004.  She works as a lead Speech -Language Pathologist in a private practice setting, where she provided targeted speech and language, voice and beside swallowing assessments for pediatrics, and adults with a variety of disabilities.