The aim of this module is to provide the student with a theoretical foundation on which to base clinical decision making in relation to the assessment, diagnosis and management of Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (FEDS) needs in childhood and adulthood.

Content includes normal development and function, and factors affecting feeding, eating, drinking & swallowing (FEDS) through the lifespan. Content also includes clinical and instrumental assessment of FEDS, managing risk in FEDS, evidence based interventions in FEDS, and legal and ethical issues in relation to FEDS management in speech and language practice.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Explain structures and functions of the normal swallow mechanism, oral motor function related to FEDS, cranial nerves and the phases of the swallow. Explain normal FEDS skills both those reflecting FEDS development in children and the normal swallow. Discriminate the impact of FEDS conditions generally and between different clinical populations. Evaluate FEDS abnormalities in a range of populations Compare and contrast differing management strategies when working with FEDS needs through the lifespan. Administer competent clinical assessment using instrumental techniques.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Appreciate legal and ethical issues affecting FEDS assessment and management through the lifespan. Value holistic principles in FEDS management.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Complete practical tasks including the use of instrumental techniques as part of objective structured clinical examinations.

The student attends weekly lectures and lab-based, practical tutorials. Aligned with the curriculum model of the programme, flipped classroom techniques are employed to ensure active engagement in advance of weekly lectures (graduate attribute: proactive). Lectures and tutorials involve a mixture of direct instruction and demonstration, and opportunities to apply knowledge and learning using anatomical models and clinical vignettes (graduate attribute: knowledgeable). The student works in small groups to consolidate learning (graduate attribute: collaborative).  The student is afforded the opportunity to articulate their knowledge as they engage with the syllabus in practical tutorials (graduate attribute: articulate). The teaching and learning approaches afford the student the opportunity to apply their developing knowledge of anatomy and physiology to speech and language therapy cases and contexts.  The student will also attend case-based tutorials to link tools and techniques to clinical presentations and contexts.