23 Feb 😪Does your child with special needs constantly have a runny nose, wet cough and chest congestion? 😬Does your child with special needs have silent aspiration?
Silent aspiration refers to a condition where food, liquid, saliva, or other substances are inhaled (aspirated) into the airways and lungs without triggering the cough reflex or even causing any noticeable symptoms. Normally, aspiration triggers coughing or choking as the body attempts to expel the foreign material to prevent it from entering the lungs. However, in silent aspiration, this reflex does not occur, making it particularly dangerous because it can lead to respiratory issues such as pneumonia without clear warning signs.
 Silent aspiration commonly occurs in children with neurological conditions and low muscle tone, where they have poor control of their oromotor muscles and difficulty with swallowing.
To manage and prevent silent aspiration, the Speech Therapist will recommend that a child is placed onto thickened fluids. Thickened fluids move more slowly than thin liquids allowing children with swallowing difficulties more time to control the fluid in their mouth and throat, coordinating the swallowing process more effectively. This control is crucial for preventing the fluid from accidentally entering the airway before the swallowing reflex is initiated. Because of their thicker consistency, the children with dysphagia can better sense the presence of the thicker substance in their mouth and throat, which helps in coordinating the swallowing muscles and closing off the airway at the right time. 
By providing better control and a slower transit time, thickened fluids significantly reduce the risk of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia.
So if your child with special needs is placed on thicken fluids, do not offer them thin fluids. If your child is experiencing recurrent chest congestion, it is important to have their chest assessed by an Expert Paediatric Physiotherapist. Ring My Favourite Physio on
 (02) 9790 4233 or DM us @myfavouritephysio to speak to one of our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists today. 
#myfavouritephysio #paedsphysio #kidsphysio #bankstown #earlyintervention