Description: Dietitians are increasingly called upon to ‘increase the tools in their toolbox’ when it comes to working with individuals of all ages experiencing eating, feeding and swallowing challenges. Using clinical reasoning and evidence informed assessment methods, delegates will undertake mind mapping exercises, explore cases where food and drink modifications are not an option, and create a personal learning and skills inventory. Building on adult learning principles, the workshop facilitates a creative learning space for collective problem solving that will advance clinicians from swallowing screening to mindful clinical assessment and management options. The workshop will include further learning and practice in using the International Dysphagia Diet Standardardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework and testing methods which have been adopted and are being used in over 50 countries worldwide.
The workshop will emphasize the interprofessional nature of dysphagia practice and will address the needs of the sole clinician and those who work closely with other health professionals around dysphagia assessment and management.

Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this program delegates will be able to:

• clearly articulate the difference between screening and assessment;
• apply a holistic, systems approach to dysphagia assessment;
• articulate the reasons for various manifestations of dysphagia symptoms;
• design clear and practical care plans and processes to monitor clients experiencing dysphagia;
• discuss the evidence and rationale behind the IDDSI food and drink modifications;
• demonstrate IDDSI testing methods
• undertake rudimentary oral examinations with more confidence
• communicate effective dysphagia management and intervention plans to colleagues, staff, patients, families and caregivers.