National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders

12/19/2025

As we gather around the table this season, many people with swallowing disorders cannot.

Your year-end gift to the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders helps bring awareness, support, and hope to those living with dysphagia. Every gift makes a difference. 💙

Give before year’s end ➡️ https://nfosd.networkforgood.com/projects/84367-nfosd-donations

12/18/2025

When Dysphagia Hits Home 💙

NFOSD Medical Advisory Board member Donna Edwards, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, ASHA Fellow, shared her experience as a mother navigating her son’s dysphagia following a stroke and traumatic brain injury in a video to help the NFOSD raise awareness about the impact of dysphagia.

Her story powerfully reminds us that behind every diagnosis is a family, and that compassionate, patient- and family-centered care matters—always.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZuvXK1AY7U

12/18/2025

💙 When Dysphagia Hits Home 💙

NFOSD Medical Advisory Board member Donna Edwards, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, ASHA Fellow, shared her experience as a mother navigating her son’s dysphagia following a stroke and traumatic brain injury in a video to help the NFOSD raise awareness about the impact of dysphagia.

Her story powerfully reminds us that behind every diagnosis is a family, and that compassionate, patient- and family-centered care matters—always.

Donna Edwards, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, ASHA Fellow, brings both deep clinical expertise and lived experience to the NFOSD Medical Advisory Board. In a video shar...

12/12/2025

✨ Sharing a meaningful resource from our partners at the THANC Foundation ✨

The holidays can be a joyful time — but for many survivors of head and neck cancer, they can also bring unique challenges, especially when eating is difficult.

THANC’s newest webinar highlights inspiring personal stories and tips to help individuals navigate taste changes, dry mouth, swallowing challenges, and other treatment side effects this time of year. It’s a warm, encouraging session filled with practical ideas and hope.

If you or someone you love is looking for support in making holiday meals more enjoyable and inclusive, we encourage you to watch.

The THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation

Enjoy this replay of our holiday program, where our host Genevieve Lowry is joined by Cate Zuccarello (dietician), Elizabeth Lipton (speech language patholog...

12/12/2025

Please join us on Monday for this free presentation on Transforming Your Dysphagia Kitchen with swallowing specialist, Karen Sheffler, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, and author, Diane Wolff!

You will receive handouts to guide you in transforming your home kitchen into a space that empowers confidence, safety, and creativity.

https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/transforming-your-kitchen

12/05/2025

Survey Link: https://bit.ly/3Lm0ssH

We are partnering with the James Lind Alliance (JLA) to identify the top research priorities about communication and swallowing difficulties after critical illness.

We want to hear from people with lived experience, family members, carers, and health professionals who work in intensive care, rehabilitation, or related areas following admission to an adult intensive care unit.

Your views will help shape future research and ensure it focuses on the questions about communication and swallowing difficulties with critical illness. We want to hear about what matters most to you and those affected.

It only takes about 10 minutes to complete, and every response counts.

Who can take part?

People who have been critically unwell in an adult ICU and experienced communication or swallowing difficulty during or after their hospital admission
Family members, carers or supporters of people who have been critically unwell in an adult ICU and experienced communication or swallowing difficulty during or after their hospital admission

Health and social care professionals with experience with or providing care for critically unwell adults who experienced communication or swallowing difficulty during or after their hospital admission


Survey: Our survey is available in 10 different languages (English, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian).

This project has been reviewed by the Ethics Secretariat at the University of Technology Sydney.

You can take part in the survey via this link: https://bit.ly/3Lm0ssH

12/05/2025

Join the December Canadian Dysphagia Support Group! 🇨🇦

The next free, virtual meeting is happening December 18! This is a safe and supportive space to connect with others navigating life with dysphagia, whether you’re a patient or caregiver.

🗓️ December 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM EST

💻 https://tinyurl.com/DyspagiasupportDec2025

12/04/2025

🍂 The THANC Foundation - - is hosting a special Holiday Recipes & Survivor Stories session where a panel of survivors of head and neck cancer will talk about the traditions, dishes and memories that carried them through treatment and recovery.

It will be a warm, uplifting program that blends storytelling, community and a little holiday joy.

You are invited to join: https://thanc.me/december2025

12/03/2025

📣 New NFOSD Webinar Announcement!

We’re excited to welcome back author and caregiver advocate, Diane Wolff, for a special session: "Transforming Your Kitchen Into a Dysphagia Kitchen!"

🗓 December 15th at 11am ET

⏰ 1 hour • Free to attend

🔗 Register: swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/transforming-your-kitchen/

Diane will share practical, real-world strategies for setting up a dysphagia-friendly kitchen—drawing from her brand-new cookbook, Cooking for Dysphagia and Other Swallowing Disorders.

Whether you're a caregiver, patient, SLP, or anyone supporting safe and enjoyable eating at home, this session offers tools you can use right away.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the leading voices in dysphagia-friendly cooking!

12/03/2025

ICYM This Incredible Presentation! 🎉

The recording from yesterday’s NFOSD webinar, “From Principles to Practice: Implementing Informed Consent for Texture-Modified Diets”, is now available to watch!

🎥 Catch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/UsuX-dh5gg8

📄 Free downloadable handouts are included to support your clinical practice: https://www.dysphagiaoutreach.org/shop

🔖 Please note: ASHA CEUs are not available for the recording, but we can provide a certificate of participation upon request.

Whether you missed the live session or want to revisit the discussion, we hope this resource continues to support your work in evidence-based, patient-centered care. 💙

12/02/2025

🌎 This Giving Tuesday, your generosity can change someone’s life.

For the millions living with dysphagia, something as simple as eating or drinking safely is a daily challenge. At NFOSD, we provide critical education, patient support, advocacy, and hope to those who often feel unseen.

💛 Your donation helps fund:
✔ Free patient and caregiver support groups
✔ Life-changing education and resources
✔ Advocacy for better treatments and research
✔ Community for those who need it most

✨ Give today. Advance the treatment of swallowing disorders. Show support.

Donate now: https://nfosd.networkforgood.com/projects/84367-nfosd-donations

12/01/2025

📢 Reminder — Webinar Tomorrow!

Join us for a FREE 2-hour webinar:“From Principles to Practice: Implementing Informed Consent for Texture-Modified Diets” — earns .2 ASHA Ethics CEUs.

🗓️ Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM Eastern (12:00 PM Pacific)

✅ Cost: FREE — made possible by an educational grant from our educational sponsor. All donations will be shared between the NFOSD & the Dysphagia Outreach Project!

👉 Register now: swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/informed-consent-diet/

Please share with colleagues or clients who may benefit — we’d love to see you there!