ASHA Learning Pass

Medically complex neonates often face many challenges as they learn to feed and along the path of transitioning from tube to oral feedings. One of the most perplexing is how to progress oral feedings while the infant is still receiving positive pressure support for respiratory needs. This session explores different approaches to this challenge based on literature, clinical expertise, and multidisciplinary frameworks. The speakers discuss the relevance of the infant’s aerodigestive system when in the NICU vs. in the cardiothoracic ICU. The session shares evidence-based strategies along with novel outcome data so clinicians can feel more equipped to direct the care for these infants in the most supportive and advantageous way.

This course is a recorded session from the 2023 ASHA online conference Rethinking Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing.

Related Courses

See more sessions from Rethinking Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Describe the effects of positive pressure support on the neonatal swallowing mechanism and aerodigestive system
• Explain the pros and cons of various feeding guidelines as they relate to NICU vs. CTICU infants
• Describe the risk-to-benefit ratio when considering advancing oral feedings in infants on positive pressure

Presenter Information

Kimberly Morris, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, IBCLC, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with over 16 years of experience assessing and treating children with dysphagia in both the acute care and outpatient settings. She is a board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders and an international board certified lactation consultant. She leads the cardiac and aerodigestive feeding programs at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego and is involved in national research initiatives to optimize feeding and swallowing outcomes.

Financial Disclosures:

• Employee of Rady Children's Hospital San Diego
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Louisa Ferrara-Gonzalez, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CNT, NTMCT, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with 15 years of clinical experience working with neonates, medically fragile infants, and children with a myriad of complex medical/developmental needs. She is a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders, a Certified Neonatal Therapist, a Neonatal Touch and Massage Certified therapist and a Trauma-Informed Professional. Dr. Louisa has worked in numerous pediatric settings. For 10 years she served as an advanced clinical specialist and manager of a Level 3 NICU feeding program. Since stepping down from that role she now provides parent education and neonatal care through her Private Practice, manages the NICU Dysphagia research team at NYU Langone Hospital on Long Island and serves as Chief Clinical Officer at Innara Health, developer of the NTrainer. Dr. Louisa’s research in the field of neonatal swallowing disorders has been published in high-standing peer-reviewed journals and is recognized world-wide. In 2020 she received the peer-nominated award for Excellence in Research through NANT. Furthermore, she is an internationally sought out speaker on the topic of neonatal feeding and swallowing development and disorders.

Financial Disclosures:

• Employee of NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island
• Employee of Innara Health
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Board Member of the Neonatal Therapist Certification Board

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete and submit the learning assessment by the end date below.

Program History and CE Information

Online conference dates: March 22–April 3, 2023, November 29–December 11, 2023
End date: September 30, 2029

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).