National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders

04/20/2026

NFOSD Community 📣

Join this FREE 5-part pediatric feeding series from Speech Therapy PD—open to SLPs, students, and interprofessional providers including pediatricians, nurses, OTR/Ls, and caregivers!

🗓 Wednesdays at 7pm ET (starting 4/30)
🍽 Session 1: It’s Not Picky Eating: A Foundation for Pediatric Feeding Disorder
Followed by weekly sessions on medical management, social context, trauma-informed care, and case-based collaboration.

👩‍⚕️ Led by expert faculty including Amy Delaney, William Sharp, and Jaclyn Pederson, and moderated by Michelle Dawson.

🎓 SLPs earn 0.1 ASHA CEU per session
(Note: CEUs not available for other disciplines)

🔗 Learn more + register:
Session 1: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/empowering-providers

04/17/2026

Oral cancer kills one person in America every hour of every day. Of those newly diagnosed today, about half will be alive in 5 years. Even surviving this disease will mean that you endured brutal treatments, and leave you with life-long issues that will compromise your quality of life.

Watch this video to recognize and find early symptoms of oral cancer. Caught early, every negative part of this; from treatments to ultimate outcome, are lessened in severity.

https://vimeo.com/235399959?fl=pl&fe=vl

Learn More: https://checkyourmouth.org/wp/

Learn how to properly look for warning signs of oral cancer in this informative video.

04/17/2026

ICYMI: Missed our recent webinar on head & neck cancer screening?

The recording + handouts are now available for FREE 🎉

This session highlights the importance of screening, early detection, and improving outcomes for individuals at risk for dysphagia and related complications.

👉 Watch now + download resources: https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/hnc-screening-webinar/

04/16/2026

Webinar Spotlight: Supportive Care and Rehabilitation for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

📅 Wednesday, April 22, 2026
⏰ 12–1 pm ET | 8–9 pm ET

This webinar highlights key challenges after head and neck cancer, including swallowing changes and lymphedema. Learn how to recognize symptoms early and explore rehabilitation strategies to support recovery and quality of life.

ASHA CEUs are available.

04/14/2026

What is a Swallowing Disorder?

Sharing a video that may help explain to you -- or to your loved ones who may not always understand -- what a swallowing disorder is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEmPejBg5cw

Video credit: Swallowing Wellness Center

Episode 2: What Is a Swallowing Disorder? | The Swallow CoachWhat does it really mean to have a swallowing disorder? Is it the same as choking? Is coughing n...

04/14/2026

Join us tomorrow for a FREE educational webinar focused on head and neck cancer screening—an important topic for early detection and improved patient outcomes.

This session will highlight key risk factors, signs and symptoms to watch for, and the critical role healthcare providers play in identifying concerns early.

Whether you’re a clinician, student, or someone interested in learning more, this is a valuable opportunity to expand your knowledge and support better care.

🗓️ Don’t miss it— https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/hnc-screening-webinar/

🎓 0.1 ASHA CEUs available, thanks to the generous support of TIMS Medical

04/02/2026

🇨🇦 Canadian Dysphagia Support Group – April Meeting

Living with dysphagia can feel isolating—but you’re not alone. Join this free, virtual support group to connect with others who understand your journey.

🗓 April 21
🕢 7:30 PM EST
💻 Online (Canada residents only)

This group is designed for adults with dysphagia and their caregivers to share experiences, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections in a supportive space.

👉 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/DysphagiasupportApril2026

Hosted by the Aging Swallow Research Lab

Note: This group is not a replacement for medical or psychological care.

03/30/2026

Bracco Diagnostics Inc. reported earlier this year that an unfortunate development resulted in a temporary backorder of VARIBAR® PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste (SKU 900006). An unexpected change in the supplier of the container tube affected production.

In mid-March, Bracco announced that the new tube for Varibar® (barium sulfate) Pudding had been approved by the FDA. Product has begun to ship to wholesalers and Pudding will be intermittently available as Bracco catches up on the backorder over the next several weeks. Bracco does not have any control over when the wholesalers ship out product to hospitals and suggests that you contact your wholesaler partner for more information on when you might expect to receive product.

Due to the backorder, there has also been a high demand for the VARIBAR® PUDDING MINIS (SKU 705705) and this product is also now on a temporary backorder.

Until VARIBAR® PUDDING is available, you might consider the use of VARIBAR® HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension (SKU 900005) or VARIBAR® HONEY MINIS (SKU 705708), both of which also carry an FDA approval and indication for use in Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS).

From Bracco: “Bracco Diagnostics Inc. is actively working to restore availability of VARIBAR® PUDDING as quickly as possible. We recognize the essential role this product plays in swallow studies and are committed to ensuring it is back on your shelves soon.”

From Northern Speech Services and the MBSImPTM team: “With this temporary backorder of VARIBAR® PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste (SKU 900006), we suggest Bracco’s recommendation of VARIBAR Honey (SKU 9000050) (SKU 900005) as a temporary replacement in the MBSImP Protocol. If you are entering data into the MBSImP database, we ask that you note the substitution under the Contrast Viscosities Used section of the report by selecting Other GI Barium Prepared with Standardized Recipe and in the free text box write ‘Varibar Honey.’”

03/30/2026

Caring for someone with dysphagia can be overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. 💙

We’ve created a FREE, downloadable & printable flyer to help caregivers learn about and join the NFOSD Virtual Caregiver Support Group.

🖨️ Print it for your clinic, share it with families, or pass it along to someone who could use support.

👉 Download the flyer:
https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Caregiver-Support-Group-Flyer.pdf

👉 Learn more about the support group:
https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/caregiver-support-group/

This virtual group offers a space to connect, share experiences, and learn from others who understand the caregiving journey. Support groups can be a valuable way to build community and feel less alone while navigating challenges.

03/30/2026

From Parkinson’s Disease to Stroke, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Myasthenia Gravis, understanding both the patterns and the variability can strengthen clinical reasoning.

Join Swallow the Gap for a 6-hour live webinar offered by an ASHA-approved CEU provider, focused on connecting neurologic mechanisms and prognosis to real clinical decision-making. 10% discount offered for the NFOSD community!

Topics include:

• Neurological Underpinnings of Communication and Swallowing – Dr. Kendrea (Focht) Garand

• Stroke (CVA): Rethinking Dysphagia – Dr. Janina Wilmskoetter

• Parkinson’s Disease: Dysphagia and Dystussia – Dr. James Borders

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Dysphagia and Dystussia – Dr. Kendrea (Focht) Garand

• Myasthenia Gravis: Speech and Swallowing Mechanisms – Dr. Wendy Olsen

• Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP): Airway Protection – Dr. James Curtis

🗓 May 23
⏰ 10:30 am – 5:00 pm EST

🔗 Register here (see link in bio):

https://www.swallowthegap.com/neuroslp26
Discount code: nfosd-gap (10% off)

03/26/2026

💙 NEW! Caregiver Support Group for Dysphagia

Caring for a loved one with a swallowing disorder can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Join the NFOSD Virtual Caregiver Support Group to connect with others who understand the challenges, emotions, and day-to-day realities of caregiving.

✨ Share experiences
✨ Learn practical tips
✨ Find encouragement and community

This group is designed specifically for caregivers and offers a safe, supportive space to connect and be heard.

👉 Register here: https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/caregiver-support-group/

Because support for YOU matters too. 💙

03/20/2026

Proud to recognize the two outstanding recipients of the Michael Donovan Innovation and Advocacy Awards: