Swallowing & Dysphagia Therapy in Orange County

Specialized swallowing therapy for adults experiencing difficulty with oral control, chewing, swallowing, or coordination related to neurological, medical, or functional changes.

Swallowing is a complex process requiring precise coordination of the tongue, lips, jaw, throat, sensation, and nervous system.

When something changes within that system, eating and drinking may become more difficult, less efficient, or potentially unsafe.

At The Speech Dr., Dr. Bri Langlas, EdD, CCC-SLP, provides individualized swallowing assessment and therapy within the scope of speech-language pathology, while incorporating her specialized understanding of oral and myofunctional function when clinically appropriate.

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What Is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing.

Swallowing difficulties can occur for many reasons, including neurological conditions, stroke, changes associated with aging or illness, structural differences, surgery, and other medical conditions.

Some difficulties primarily involve oral control of food or liquid, while others involve later stages of swallowing.

Because swallowing problems can have different causes and levels of severity, appropriate assessment is important before beginning treatment.

Signs of a Swallowing Problem

Someone experiencing dysphagia or another swallowing difficulty may notice:

• Coughing or choking while eating or drinking

• Difficulty chewing or managing food

• Food remaining in the mouth after swallowing

• Difficulty moving food backward with the tongue

• Multiple swallows for a single bite or sip

• Meals taking significantly longer

• Changes in swallowing following a stroke or neurological diagnosis

• Difficulty coordinating oral movements

• Sensation of food sticking

• Changes in eating or drinking efficiency

• Increased difficulty managing saliva or oral secretions

Some swallowing problems may not be obvious. Concerns about swallowing safety may require additional medical or instrumental evaluation.

Oral-Phase Swallowing Difficulties

The oral phase of swallowing involves preparing and moving food or liquid through the mouth before the swallow continues into the throat.

Difficulties may involve tongue movement, oral sensation, lip closure, chewing, bolus preparation, oral coordination, or moving food efficiently toward the back of the mouth.

Dr. Bri's combined background in speech-language pathology and myofunctional therapy provides a particularly detailed perspective on the role of the tongue and orofacial system during this portion of swallowing.

Treatment is based on functional findings rather than isolated exercises.

Dysphagia After Stroke

Stroke can affect the strength, sensation, timing, coordination, and motor control required for swallowing.

Some individuals may experience difficulty controlling food or liquid in the mouth, initiating or coordinating swallowing, managing saliva, or eating and drinking efficiently.

Treatment depends on the individual's specific swallowing impairment and medical history.

When appropriate, therapy may address functional oral control, tongue coordination, swallowing strategies, and other rehabilitation goals identified during evaluation.

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Parkinson’s Disease & Swallowing

Parkinson's disease can affect movement throughout the body, including movements involved in speech and swallowing.

Changes may occur gradually and can affect chewing, tongue movement, oral coordination, saliva management, swallowing efficiency, or other aspects of eating and drinking.

Treatment does not address Parkinson's disease itself. Instead, speech-language pathology services focus on the functional swallowing or communication difficulties associated with the condition.

How Myofunctional Therapy Fits Into Swallowing Care

Myofunctional therapy and dysphagia therapy are not interchangeable.

Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder requiring appropriate speech-language pathology and medical consideration.

However, myofunctional principles may sometimes complement swallowing rehabilitation when difficulties involve tongue movement, oral control, oral posture, coordination, or other aspects of orofacial function.

Dr. Bri's myofunctional background allows these factors to be considered within a broader swallowing assessment rather than treating them as isolated movements.

Swallowing Therapy Is Individualized

There is no single exercise program appropriate for every person with dysphagia.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, the stage or stages of swallowing affected, medical history, evaluation findings, and the individual's functional needs.

Depending on the findings, therapy may address oral control and coordination, tongue movement, chewing and bolus preparation, swallowing efficiency, compensatory strategies, functional practice, or other individualized goals.

When Additional Swallowing Testing May Be Needed

A clinical swallowing evaluation does not always provide enough information to determine what is occurring during every stage of the swallow.

When appropriate, an instrumental swallowing study or additional medical assessment may be recommended.

This may include referral for testing such as a Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) or Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) when clinically indicated.

Recommendations are based on symptoms, medical history, clinical findings, and the level of information needed to guide safe and appropriate treatment.

Collaborative Swallowing Care

Swallowing disorders frequently require collaboration across healthcare disciplines.

Depending on the individual's needs, care may involve physicians, neurologists, ENTs, gastroenterologists, dietitians, dentists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals.

Dr. Bri can collaborate with the individual's healthcare team and recommend additional evaluation when concerns extend beyond the scope of clinical speech-language pathology services.

Why Choose The Speech Dr.?

Dr. Bri brings together expertise in speech-language pathology, swallowing, oral function, and myofunctional therapy.

Rather than focusing only on isolated oral exercises, evaluation considers how the tongue and orofacial system contribute to meaningful functions such as chewing, oral control, swallowing, and communication.

This approach is especially valuable for adults whose concerns involve overlapping oral-motor, neurological, swallowing, and myofunctional factors.

Concerned About Your Swallowing?

Changes in swallowing should not simply be assumed to be a myofunctional problem.

A consultation can help determine whether your concerns are appropriate for a clinical swallowing evaluation, neurological speech-language evaluation, myofunctional assessment, instrumental swallowing study, or referral to another healthcare provider.

Schedule a Swallowing & Dysphagia Consultation

Talk with Dr. Bri about your symptoms and determine the most appropriate next step.

Schedule a Consultation →

The Speech Dr. provides swallowing and dysphagia services for adults throughout Orange County, California, with telepractice when clinically appropriate and permitted.