6th Annual Dysphagia Day: Framework to Function: Applying Practical Principles to the Management of Airway Protective Disorders

6th Annual Dysphagia Day:

Framework to Function: Applying Practical Principles to the Management of Airway Protective Disorders

Speaker: James Curtis, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

General Info

Target Audience:	Speech Language Pathologists (SLP), Occupational Therapy Practioners, Respiratory Therapists
Course Date:	Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time:	Registration at 7:30 a.m., Course from 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Location:	TIRR Memorial Hermann 1333 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030 Lex Frieden Research Room 217 http://tirr.memorialhermann.org/locations/tirr-memorial-hermann-rehab-hospital/
Class Size Limit:	In Person: 40
Parking:	Nearby parking is available for a fee in Garage 6. Texas Medical Center Garage 6
Handouts:	Electronic handouts will be shared with all attendees prior to the course via email. Please print or download the materials prior to the course for your use.

Course Description: These courses (Part 1 & Part 2) provide a comprehensive overview of current approaches to the assessment and treatment of airway protective disorders in individuals with dysphagia. Education included anatomy and physiology of both normal and disordered swallowing (with a focus on airway protection), assessment and management of cough and respiratory-swallow coordination, and principles of strength training and motor learning.

Learning Objectives/Outcomes: In order for a client with dysphagia to safely feed themselves, eat, and drink, the clinician will directly impact their client's ability by being able to:

Part 1

1. Analyze the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and functional impairments associated with disordered cough and swallow function.
2. Describe five reasons it is potentially important to assess and treat cough and respiratory-swallow coordination when managing people with dysphagia.

Part 2

3. Demonstrate the principles of strength training for orofacial and respiratory muscle assessments in individuals with dysphagia.

4. Practice skill-based assessments of cough and respiratory-swallow coordination using both auditory-perceptual and objective tools.

5. Apply principles of motor learning to the development of individualized treatment plans for patients with dysphagia.

Assessment of Learning Objectives: Part 1 - completion of at least 80% on post-lecture quiz. Part 2 - Hands on Lab - instructor reviewed performance, completion of at least 80% on quiz.

Instructional Methods Used: Lecture & small group lab

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