Swallowing and voice disorders in Abu Dhabi
Evaluation of swallowing difficulties and voice problems at AHLI Specialists Medical Center - Al Shamkha
Does your child cough or choke while eating or drinking?
Does he take a long time to eat?
Does he refuse certain foods or have difficulty chewing and swallowing?
Does his voice become hoarse, weak, or tired when speaking?
Does his voice change after screaming or repeated use of the voice?
Swallowing and voice disorders are problems that may affect a child's health, communication, and daily comfort. Some children suffer from eating and swallowing difficulties, such as coughing while drinking, rejecting textures, keeping food in the mouth, or difficulty transitioning between types of food. Some of them suffer from voice problems, such as constant hoarseness, a weak voice, or the voice gets tired quickly.
At AHLI Specialists Medical Center in Al Shamkha - Abu Dhabi, we provide specialized evaluation of swallowing and voice disorders, within speech and language therapy services, with an appropriate guidance or treatment plan according to the child’s condition, and in cooperation with other medical specialties when needed.
What are swallowing and voice disorders?
Swallowing and voice disorders are problems that may affect a child's ability to eat and drink safely and comfortably, or his ability to use his voice in a healthy and clear way.
Swallowing disorders
It means that there is difficulty in one or more stages of eating and swallowing, such as chewing, controlling food inside the mouth, moving food back, swallowing liquids, or dealing with different textures.
It may appear as coughing while eating, choking, a wet voice after drinking, food refusal, fatigue while feeding or eating, or difficulty transitioning from pureed to solid food.
Voice disorders
It means there is a problem with the quality, strength, or comfort of the voice while speaking. The voice may be hoarse, harsh, weak, broken, very loud, or get tired quickly.
Voice disorders may affect a child’s communication at home and at school, especially if the child screams a lot or has constant hoarseness.
Why swallowing difficulties should not be ignored?
Swallowing difficulties are not always just “picky eating.” Sometimes they are related to poor oral skills, texture sensitivity, poor food control, difficulty chewing, or medical problems that need evaluation.
- ● The amount of food the child eats
- ● The child’s weight and growth
- ● Comfort the child during meals
- ● The child’s relationship with food
- ● Parental confidence while feeding the child
- ● Safe swallowing when coughing or choking frequently
- ● The child’s participation in family or school meals
When signs such as coughing while eating, choking, a wet voice after drinking, or severe food refusal recur, it is best to seek evaluation and not just wait.
Signs of swallowing disorders in children
A child may need evaluation if one or more of the following signs appear:
- ● Coughing or choking while eating or drinking
- ● A wet or gurgling sound after swallowing
- ● Difficulty drinking water or soft liquids
- ● Food remains in the mouth for a long time
- ● Storing food in the cheeks
- ● Drooling or food from the mouth
- ● Difficulty chewing
- ● Reject solid or mixed textures
- ● Severe rejection of new foods
- ● Vomiting or regurgitating frequently while eating
- ● Crying or extreme stress at mealtime
- ● Taking too long to eat
- ● The child becomes tired while breastfeeding or eating
- ● Poor weight gain or lack of appetite
- ● Recurring chest infections or coughing after meals
- ● Difficulty transitioning from pureed to solid
The presence of one sign does not necessarily mean a serious problem, but repeated coughing or choking while eating requires appropriate evaluation.
When do swallowing difficulties become a condition that needs immediate attention?
Medical help should be sought quickly if the child has:
- !Severe choking or difficulty breathing while eating
- !Bluish or discolored face while swallowing
- !Inability to swallow food or liquids
- !A constant wet or gurgling sound after eating and drinking
- !Shortness of breath after meals
- !Recurrent chest infections with eating difficulties
- !Weight loss, dehydration, or apparent poor eating
In these cases, the child may need a medical evaluation before or with a speech and swallowing therapy evaluation. Safety is always the priority.
What are the causes of swallowing disorders in children?
Swallowing difficulties may occur for many reasons — simple or related to a medical or developmental condition:
- Poor chewing skills
- Poor control of food inside the mouth
- Difficulty coordinating sucking, chewing, or swallowing
- Excessive sensitivity to the textures, smells or texture of food
- Delayed oral motor skills
- Reflux or digestive problems
- Frequent infections or respiratory problems
- Developmental delay or neurological difficulties
- Problems with the muscles of the mouth, tongue, or jaw
- History of premature birth or breastfeeding difficulties
- Previous disturbing experiences with food
- Cases that require multidisciplinary follow-up
The evaluation helps determine whether the difficulty is sensory, motor, behavioral, medical, or a combination of more than one factor.
How are swallowing disorders evaluated?
The evaluation begins by collecting detailed information from the parents about the child's nutritional history, eating style, type of difficulties, and acceptable and rejected foods.
- ✓Asking the parents about their breastfeeding and eating history
- ✓Find out when the problem started
- ✓Identify the types of food or drink that cause difficulty
- ✓Observe the child's position while eating
- ✓Evaluate the movement of the lips, tongue and jaw
- ✓Evaluating the child's ability to chew and control food
- ✓Note swallowing when eating appropriate and safe textures
- ✓Assess sensitivity to textures or textures
- ✓Know the effect of the problem on weight and growth
- ✓Determine the need for a medical referral or additional examination
- ✓Develop a guidance or treatment plan depending on the case
In some cases, a child may need a medical evaluation or additional tests before starting a treatment plan.
How does speech therapy help with swallowing disorders?
A speech-language pathologist may help evaluate and support eating and swallowing skills, especially when the problem is related to oral skills, chewing, food control, or swallowing coordination.
- ✓Improving the child's position while eating
- ✓Gradually train chewing skills
- ✓Supports movement of the tongue, lips and jaw
- ✓Improve control of food inside the mouth
- ✓Introduce textures in a gradual and safe manner
- ✓Reduce stress around meals
- ✓Training parents on appropriate feeding methods
- ✓Collaborate with a doctor, nutritionist, or occupational therapist
The goal is not to force the child to eat, but to help him eat in a safer, more comfortable and organized way.
The difference between swallowing disorders and food selectivity
Dietary selectivity means that the child rejects certain foods or prefers limited types. Swallowing disorders may include real difficulty chewing, controlling food, or swallowing liquids.
- ● Coughing or choking while eating
- ● Difficulty drinking fluids
- ● Storing food in the mouth
- ● Inability to chew age-appropriate food
- ● Complete rejection of certain textures
- ● Extreme fear of eating
- ● Frequent vomiting or regurgitation
- ● Very long and exhausting meals
- ● Poor growth or weight loss
- ● Wet sound after eating or drinking
Here the evaluation becomes important to find out the cause and make a suitable plan.
What are voice disorders in children?
Voice disorders are changes in the quality, strength, or comfort of the voice. The child's voice may be hoarse, raspy, weak, tired, broken, or inappropriate for his age.
Voice is important for a child's communication and self-confidence. When a child's voice is constantly tired or hoarse, he or she may avoid participating or have difficulty expressing.
Signs of voice disorders
Your child may need evaluation if you notice one or more of the following signs:
- ● Persistent hoarseness
- ● Harsh or tired voice
- ● Weak or very low sound
- ● A sound that is clearly very loud or sharp
- ● Loss of sound while speaking
- ● Getting tired quickly when speaking
- ● Pain or discomfort in the throat after talking
- ● Voice changes after screaming or playing
- ● Frequent loss of voice
- ● Difficulty participating in speech at school
If hoarseness or voice change persists for a long time, it's best to evaluate the condition — and the child may need a medical examination of the throat.
Causes of voice disorders in children
- ● Excessive use of voice or frequent screaming
- ● Speaking loudly for long periods
- ● Recurring infections of the throat or respiratory system
- ● Reflux may affect the larynx
- ● Allergies or chronic cough
- ● Vocal cord strain
- ● Unhealthy vocal habits
- ● Throat problems that require medical evaluation
Not every change in voice requires long-term treatment, but persistent or recurring hoarseness requires understanding the cause first.
How are voice disorders evaluated?
Evaluating voice begins with understanding the nature of the problem: when did it start? Is it continuous or intermittent? Does it increase after screaming?
- ✓ Listen to the sound quality
- ✓ Evaluate the severity of hoarseness or roughness
- ✓ Know when your voice gets tired
- ✓ Evaluate voice usage habits
- ✓ Evaluate breathing while speaking
- ✓ Know the impact of the problem on school and daily life
- ✓ Direct the child to an ear, nose and throat doctor when needed
- ✓ Develop a voice treatment plan or instructions depending on the case
In many voice conditions, a medical examination is important to ensure the health of the larynx before beginning voice therapy.
How does speech therapy help with voice disorders?
Voice therapy aims to improve the way a child uses his voice and reduce stress on the vocal cords — not just “lowering the voice.”
- ✓ Teach the child to use a soothing voice
- ✓ Reduce screaming and stressful vocal habits
- ✓ Train the child to breathe properly while speaking
- ✓ Improve sound intensity without compression
- ✓ Teach appropriate vocal breaks
- ✓ Training parents to modify the acoustic environment at home
- ✓ Encourage calm communication
The goal is for the child to use his voice in a healthier and more comfortable way, without feeling prevented from speaking or playing.
Tips for parents to support the health of the child's voice
- ✓Reduce screaming at home as much as possible
- ✓Approach the child instead of calling from another room
- ✓Encourage speaking in a calm, soothing voice
- ✓Giving the child breaks from speaking after intense use of the voice
- ✓Drink water regularly
- ✓Avoid forcing the child to raise his voice in noise
- ✓Do not scold the child because of his voice, but teach him calmly
- ✓See a doctor if hoarseness persists or recurs
These tips are useful, but they do not substitute for evaluation if the voice change is persistent or affecting the child.
The relationship between swallowing and voice
Swallowing and voice are related to the functions of the throat, larynx and breathing. Common signs may appear, such as a wet voice after drinking, coughing while eating, or a change in voice after swallowing. It is important to mention any change in the voice during or after meals when visiting a specialist.
The role of parents in treating swallowing and voice disorders
The role of the parents is essential in the success of the plan, because the child eats and speaks every day at home and at school.
- ✓Monitor when coughing or choking appears
- ✓Record the types of food that cause difficulty
- ✓Note whether the voice changes after eating or drinking
- ✓Do not force the child to eat textures that he cannot handle
- ✓Adhere to the recommended feeding method
- ✓Provide quiet time for meals
- ✓Reduce shouting and calling from afar
- ✓Apply the home instructions recommended by the specialist
The more accurate the information from parents, the more appropriate and effective the plan becomes.
Does the child need other specializations?
In some cases of swallowing or voice, the child may need the cooperation of more than one specialist:
This does not mean that the condition is serious, but it helps to understand the problem from all aspects.
Swallowing and voice disorders in Al Shamkha - Abu Dhabi
If you are looking for an evaluation of swallowing disorders for children in Abu Dhabi or treatment of voice problems and hoarseness in children in Al Shamkha, AHLI Specialists Medical Center provides a specialized evaluation that helps parents understand the problem and determine the appropriate step.
We help parents understand the causes of eating difficulties or voice changes, and we develop a guidance or treatment plan according to the child’s condition.
Why choose AHLI Specialists Medical Center?
Specialized evaluation
For swallowing and voice difficulties with a comprehensive understanding of eating, chewing and swallowing.
Individual plan
Suitable for the child's age and needs.
Instructions for parents
Practical steps applicable at home.
Multiple collaborations
Possibility of coordination with other medical specialties.
Convenient Al Shamkha Location
Close to Baniyas, Al Falah, Shakhbout and Abu Dhabi areas.
Clear follow-up
Evaluate progress and improvement of symptoms.
Services related to swallowing and voice disorders
The child may need one or more of the following services depending on the assessment:
Swallowing disorders and difficulties
Cough, choking, difficulty chewing and swallowing.
Learn more →Voice disorders
Hoarseness, weak voice, vocal fatigue, constant changes.
Learn more →Hoarseness
Evaluation and treatment of persistent or recurring hoarseness.
Learn more →Speech and language assessment
Comprehensive assessment of communication, swallowing and voice.
Learn more →Occupational Therapy
When refusing food or textures associated with sensory difficulties.
Learn more →Related pages
When should I book an appointment for my child?
Book an evaluation if your child has coughing or choking while eating, difficulty chewing, severe food refusal, a wet voice after drinking, or persistent hoarseness.
If there is difficulty breathing, severe choking, cyanosis, significant weight loss, or recurrent chest infections — medical evaluation should be sought urgently.
The first step is to understand why, then decide which plan is right for your child.
Book a swallowing and voice disorders assessment
If you notice that your child is having difficulty eating or swallowing or a noticeable change in the voice, we can help you with a professional evaluation.
AHLI Specialists Medical Center - Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi
Al Qayed Street, Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi
Frequently asked questions about swallowing and voice disorders
What are swallowing disorders in children?
Is coughing while drinking an important sign?
Does refusing food mean a swallowing disorder?
Are swallowing disorders serious?
Does a speech pathologist help with swallowing problems?
What are voice disorders in children?
Does hoarseness in children need treatment?
Does screaming cause voice problems?
Do voice problems require an ear, nose and throat doctor?
Can voice and swallowing disorders be treated?
Our specialized team
Book a swallowing and voice assessment
02-448-7553 — Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi