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ACQuiring knowledge in sp eech, language and hearing, Volume 11, Number 1 2009 49
MULTICULTURALISM AND DYSPHAGIA
Heesacker, M., Wester, S. R., Vogel, D. L., Wentzel., Mejia-Millan,
C. M., & Goodholm, C. R. J. (1999). Gender-based emotional
stereotyping. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 46 , 483–495.
Joanna Briggs Institute. (2000). Identification and manage­
ment of dysphagia in children with neurological impairment.
Best practice: Evidence based practice information sheets for health
professionals, 4, 1–6.
Lefton-Greif, M. A., & Loughlin, G. M. (1996). Specialized
studies in pediatric dysphagia. Seminars in Speech and
Language , 17 (4), 311–330.
Mason, S. J., Harris, G., & Blissett, J. (2005). Tube feeding in
infancy: Implications for the development of normal eating
and drinking skills. Dysphagia, 20 , 46–61.
Mathisen, B. (2003). Re-inventing the delivery of paediatric
dysphagia services. ACQuiring Knowledge in Speech, Language
and Hearing , 5(2), 79–82.
Mathisen, B. A. (2008). Working with families of children with
dysphagia: An interdisciplinary approach. In N. Watts Pappas
& S. McLeod (Eds.), Working with families in speech-language
pathology, pp. 245–278. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing.
Mathisen, B., Worrall, L., O’Callaghan, M., Wall, C., &
Shepherd, R. W. (2000). Feeding problems and dysphagia in
six-month-old extremely low birth weight infants. Advances in
Speech-Language Pathology , 2(1), 9–17.
Misri, S., Kostaras, X., Fox, D., & Kostaras, D. (2000). The
impact of partner support in the treatment of postpartum
depression. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 45, 554–558.
Morgan, A. T., & Reilly, S. (2006). Introduction: Clinical
signs, aetiologies and characteristics of paediatric dysphagia.
In J. Cichero & B. Murdoch (Eds.), Dysphagia: Foundation,
theory and practice, pp. 391–465. London: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Newman, L. A. (2000). Optimal care patterns in pediatric
patients with dysphagia. Seminars in Speech and Language,
21(4), 281–291.
O’Brien, C., & Rich, K. (2002). Evaluation of the men and
family relations ininative: Final and supplementary report .
Canberra: Department of Family and Community Services.
Oliver, J., Schmied, V.& Gailey, P. (2001). Meeting the needs of
men in preparation for parenthood programs. Paper presented at
the 7th National Conference of the National Association of
Childhood Educators, Gold Coast, April.
Porter, S., & Mabbutt, J. (2005). Fathering the effects can last
a lifetime: Supporting men in the biggest challenge of all –
fatherhood. Journal of the Child and Family Health Nurses
Association (NSW) Inc., June, pp. 14–15.
Puntis, J. W. L. (2008). Specialist feeding clinics. Archives of
Disease in Childhood , 93, 164–167.
Ramchandani, P., Stein, A., Evans, J., O’Connor, T.G., & the
ALSPAC Study Team. (2005). Paternal depression in the postnatal
period and the child development: A prospective population
study. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey , 60(12), 789–790.
Selley, W. G., Parrott, L. C., Lethbridge, P. C., Flack, F. C., Ellis, R.
E., Johnston, K. J., Foumeny, M. A., & Tripp, J. H. (2001).
Objective measures of dysphagia complexity in children
related to suckle feeding histories, gestational ages and
classification of their cerebral palsy. Dysphagia , 16, 200–207.
education – simply being a father or male does not exclude
the need for this education (Fletcher, 2008). As the demand for
father-inclusive practice increases, competencies for speech
pathologists working with fathers will develop. To date, the
need for these competencies has been neglected (Fletcher,
2008). The introduction of specific father-inclusive practice
during tertiary education would provide future speech
pathologists with the academic knowledge and clinical skills to
adequately include fathers in speech pathology intervention.
Conclusion
It is clear from the literature that an interdisciplinary team
(Arvedson & Brodsky, 2002; Bell & Sheckman Alper, 2007;
Joanna Briggs Institute, 2000; Lefton-Greif & Loughlin, 1996;
Mathisen, 2008, 2003; Morgan & Reilly, 2006; Newman, 2000;
Puntis, 2008), working in a family-centred model is best practice
in managing the dysphagia of a child (see also Mathisen,
2008). An increase in community attitudes about the inclusion
of fathers has been recommended across many education and
health care professions (Fletcher, 2008). Currently, there are no
documented or specific father-inclusive models of
intervention in paediatric dysphagia practice. Therefore
speech pathologists are encouraged to establish such models
to engage fathers. Doing so will have significant benefits not
only for the child but also for the mother, the siblings, the
extended family and of course, the father (Bronte-Tinkew et
al., 2008; Misri et al., 2000; Oliver, Schmied & Gailey 2001).
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Erin Palmowski is currently completing her studies at
the University of Newcastle and will graduate in June
2009. She has a keen interest in paediatric dysphagia and
the impact it may have on the family.
Dr Bernice Mathisen is the Speech Pathology Program
Convenor at The University of Newcastle and former
director of its Interdisciplinary Dysphagia Clinic (IDC).
She has 35 years experience in Australia and in the United
Kingdom (University College, London) with a broad
spectrum of research, teaching and clinical service roles.
Correspondence to:
Erin Palmowski
Bernice Mathisen