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Digital Seminar

It’s More than Just Swallowing – Examining Breathing, Digestion, and Deglutition


Speaker:
Angela Mansolillo, MA/CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Duration:
6 Hours 34 Minutes
Format:
Audio and Video
Copyright:
Aug 29, 2025
Product Code:
POS065591
Media Type:
Digital Seminar - Also available: Digital Seminar

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Description

This program will examine the inter-relationships between respiration, gastrointestinal function, sensori-motor function, and swallowing to allow clinicians to better identify the underlying causes of their client’s swallowing difficulties.

We’ll look at specific respiratory and GI diagnoses and their impact on what, when, how much, and how safely our clients eat.

Using clinical case studies, we’ll examine the evidence to provide you with the tools you need to perform a thorough multi-disciplinary assessment and implement a comprehensive treatment plan that takes into account all of the potential contributing factors.  Sometimes, it’s about more than just swallowing. 

Credit

Planning Committee Disclosure - No relevant relationships

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.



* Credit Note - **

NOTE: Tuition includes one free CE Certificate (participant will be able to print the certificate of completion after passing the online post-test (80% passing score) and completing the evaluation). Instructional methods will include PowerPoint, didactic lecture, and others.

Continuing Education Information:  Listed below are the continuing education credit(s) currently available for this non-interactive self-study package. Program content is reviewed periodically per accrediting board rules for currency and appropriateness for credit. Credit approvals are subject to change. Please note, your state licensing board dictates whether self-study is an acceptable form of continuing education, as well as which credit types are acceptable for continuing education hours. Please refer to your state rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. 
For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact info@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before purchase.

Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession.  As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession's standards.  

For Planning Committee disclosures, please see the statement above.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.


* Credit Note - ---

Earn up to 6.25 CE hours. Please see below, for more details, as credit amounts vary by state and profession. 


Nurses - Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Clinical Nurse Specialists

This self-study activity consists of 6.25 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from this self-study activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.


Nurses - California Nurses

PESI, Inc. is a provider approved by the California Board of  Registered Nursing, Provider #: 17118 for 6.0 self-study contact hours. 

** You will need to provide your license number to PESI. PESI must have this number on file in order for your hours to be valid.


Nurses - Florida Nurses

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the Florida Board of  Nursing. Provider #: FBN2858. These materials qualify for 6.0 self-study contact hours.

CE Broker


Occupational Therapists - Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants

 

PESI, Inc.  is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 0000011465. This Distance Learning-Independent is offered at .625  CEUs, Intermediate, OT Service Delivery; Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Full attendance at this Distance Learning-Independent activity qualifies for 6.25 contact hours.

 


Occupational Therapists - Arizona Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 6.0​ continuing education clock hours for Arizona OTs and OTAs. The Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (R4-43-203) confirms acceptance of continuing education programs relevant to occupational therapy that are approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).


Occupational Therapists - Florida Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy. Provider Number #50-399. This course qualifies for 6.0 self-study continuing education credits.

CE Broker


Occupational Therapists - Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants

This course contains 6.25 hours of Distance Learning - Independent continuing education. It was not offered for AOTA CEUs. Please retain your certificate of completion. For state licensure or other credential renewal, contact those agencies for information about your reporting responsibilities and requirements.


Physical Therapists - Alaska Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 6.25 continuing education credit hours for Alaska Physical Therapists. The Board Rule 12 AAC 54.420 confirms acceptance of continuing education programs that are recognized by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approval agency to approve providers.


Physical Therapists - Arizona Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. The Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy recognizes continuing competence activities that have been approved by any state PT association or national medical/health care association (e.g., AOTA, ASHA). This self-study activity consists of 6.25 clock hours of instruction applicable for physical therapists.


Physical Therapists - California Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approval agency to approve providers. This self-study lecture qualifies for 6.25 continuing competency hours.


Physical Therapists - Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study course consists of 6.25 clock hours of instruction that is applicable for physical therapists. CE requirements for physical therapists vary by state/jurisdiction. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Physical Therapists - Illinois Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270. This self-study course qualifies for 6.0 CE credit hours.


Physical Therapists - Kentucky Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 6.25 continuing education credit hours for Kentucky Physical Therapists. The rule under 201 KAR 22:045, Section 2, (2)(a) states that category 1 continued competency credits can be earned from providers approved by another physical therapy licensing agency. PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270.

 


Physical Therapists - New York Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department, State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant continuing education. This self-study course qualifies for 7.6 contact hours.


Physical Therapists - North Carolina Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation, Provider Number: 216.000270. This intermediate course is approved by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners by virtue of PESI Inc. approved provider status with the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. This course qualifies for 6.0 continuing education hours.


Physical Therapists - Oklahoma Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This asynchronous activity consists of 6.25 continuing education credit hours for Oklahoma Physical Therapists. Oklahoma Administrative Code 435:20-9-3.1 confirms acceptance of continuing education programs offered by providers approved by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270.


Physical Therapists - Pennsylvania Physical Therapists and Assistants

The Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy recognizes approval by all other state boards. This self-study activity consists of 6.25 clock hours of instruction that is applicable for physical therapists.


Physical Therapists - Texas Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider #2706032TX and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas. Instructional Level: Intermediate. This activity will provide 6.25 CCUs. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.


Physical Therapists - Utah Physical Therapists And Physical Therapist Assistants

This course is designed to meet the Utah DOPL Rule R156-24b-303b.2.c.iv - A commercial continuing education provider providing a course related to the practice of physical therapy. Please retain a copy of the advertising brochure and your certificate of completion to provide to your board should this be requested of you. This self-study activity consists of 6.25 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Physical Therapists - Vermont Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This course consists of 6.25 continuing education credit hours for Vermont Physical Therapists. The Board confirms acceptance of continuing education programs that are recognized by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270.


Physical Therapists - Virginia Physical Therapists & Physical Therapy Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 6.25 hours of type 2 continued competency credit for Virginia Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants. Regulation 18VAC112-20-131, Section B, (2) states that up to ten type 2 continued competency credits can be earned by completing independent study activities related to the clinical practice of physical therapy. 


Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists - Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists - National ASHA

 

Advanced Level

.6 ASHA CEUs

 

** ASHA Self Study CEUs are available on this course from 12/01/2025 to 11/30/2026. PESI, Inc. will submit ASHA CEU Requests to the ASHA CE Registry on a monthly basis; ASHA CEU Requests received before 12/01/2025 or after 11/30/2026 cannot be reported.

 

** Please note: To have participation reported to the ASHA CE Registry, Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists must complete all requirements: pass the CE quiz with a score 80% or more, complete the evaluation, answer "YES" to the evaluation question about reporting to ASHA, and enter a valid ASHA ID number when prompted. Participation will be submitted within 45 days of completing all requirements and cannot be reported if any requirement is not met. ASHA CE Provider Approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.


Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists - California Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board, #PDP 319. This course meets the qualifications for 6.0 hours of self-study continuing professional development credit for Speech-Language Pathologists or Audiologists, as required by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board.


Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists - Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Provider Number: 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 6.0 continuing education credits. 


Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists - Kansas Speech-Language Pathologists

Approved for 7.5 self-study continuing education clock hours for Kansas licensed Speech-Language Pathologists by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.


Other Professions

This self-study activity qualifies for 6.25 continuing education clock hours as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.



Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Angela Mansolillo, MA/CCC-SLP, BCS-S's Profile

Angela Mansolillo, MA/CCC-SLP, BCS-S Related seminars and products


Angela Mansolillo, MA/CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a speech-language pathologist and board-certified specialist in swallowing disorders with more than 30 years of experience. She is a senior speech-language pathologist at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Massachusetts where she provides evaluation and treatment services for adults and children with dysphagia and is involved in program planning and development including quality improvement initiatives, patient education, and clinical policies and protocols. She is also adjunct faculty at Elms College Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in Chicopee, Massachusetts and a guest lecturer in the Department of Communication Disorders at the University of Massachusetts. Over the course of her career, she has worked in a variety of clinical settings with children and adult populations with a career-long focus on feeding and swallowing disorders. Recently, she authored Let’s Eat!: A Clinical Guide to the Management of Complex Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders. Angela is a recent recipient of the Massachusetts Speech and Hearing Association’s Award for Clinical Excellence and is a sought-after speaker for both live and online continuing education courses as she seamlessly blends current research with clinical experience.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Angela Mansolillo has an employment relationship with Elms College, the University of Massachusetts, and Cooley Dickinson Hospital. She is a consultant with Dysphagia Services and receives speaking honorarium from Medbridge, Colibri Group, HomeCEUconnection.com, speechpathology.com; occupationaltherapy.com, respiratorytherapy.com, earlychildhood.com and Continued. Angela Mansolillo receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Angela Mansolillo is a member of ASHA.


Alternate Options

Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.


Questions?

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Objectives

  1. Use your understanding of the interrelationships between the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems to identify and treat the causes and not just the symptoms of dysphagia in your pediatric and adult clients.
  2. Evaluate the impact of respiratory and gastrointestinal functions on swallowing systems in order to choose targeted interventions and increase your effectiveness in reducing aspiration risk.
  3. Design effective multi-disciplinary treatment plans for clients with respiratory and GI disease processes including COPD, respiratory failure, and GERD.
  4. Expand your diagnostic tool box to include cough testing, water screenings, pulse oximetry, respiratory muscle strength testing, sensorimotor assessment, and other evidence-based tools.
  5. Develop successful treatment plans by identifying reflux disease and its impact on swallowing function in your clients.
  6. Design assessment strategies that allow you to identify those clients who are more likely or less likely to get sick as a result of aspiration

Outline

Breathing/Swallowing Coordination
Respiratory System

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Coordination and aspiration
  • Airway protective mechanisms
  • Impact of various respiratory diseases

Gastroesophageal System

  • Esophageal and digestive functions
  • GERD and feeding/swallowing difficulties
  • Reflux mechanisms
  • Esophageal/Pharyngeal inter-relationships

GI/RESPIRATORY RELATIONSHIPS   
What’s the connection?

  • Pressure, energy, and innervation
  • Extra-esophageal reflux
  • Aspiration and the Airway
  • Risk factors for pneumonia
  • Aspiration and Oral Hygiene – It Takes a team

Disease Processes and Impact on Breathing, Digestion, and Swallowing

  • Airway Management, biopsychosocial factors, and implications for feeding and swallowing
    • Intubation, tracheostomies, nasal cannula and more
    • Implications for feeding

Reflux, biopsychosocial factors, and implications for feeding and swallowing

  • Interpreting test results and implications for treatment
  • Lifestyle factors

Swallow Assessment


Determine Aspiration Risk


Cognitive, Sensorimotor, and Respiratory Muscle Strength Assessment Tools


3 oz Water Test, Pulse Oximetry and More


Understanding lab values

Instrumental assessment:

  • Modified barium swallow studies
  • Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing

Feeding Interventions

  • Multisensory cues
  • Utensil selection
  • Environmental modifications
  • Assisted feeding options
  • Feeding schedules
  • Behavioral interventions

Aspiration Management
Diet modifications – Not such a benign intervention

  • Implications of dietary changes
  • Compliance issues
  • Thick liquids – pros and cons
  • Water protocols

Strategies and Exercises – What does the evidence tell us?

  • Compensation
  • Sensory interventions
  • Principles of exercise physiology
    • Motor learning principles
    • Exercise dose
    • Skill training vs strengthening
    • Biofeedback
  • Lingual strengthening
  • Pharyngeal strengthening
  • Expiratory muscle strength training
  • Modifications and adaptations: impairment specific strategies

REFLUX ASSESSMENT
What do these tests tell me?

  • Upper GI studies
  • Ph Monitoring
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Scintigraphy

REFLUX MANAGEMENT
What’s the dysphagia clinician to do?

  • Lifestyle modifications
  • Positioning
  • Diet modifications
  • Medications
  • Effects of acid suppression
  • Surgical interventions
  • New directions in reflux management
     

Target Audience

  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Respiratory Therapists
  • Nurses
  • Nursing Assistants
  • Restorative Nursing Staff
  • Dietitians
  • Dietary Managers
  • Long-Term Care Professionals

Reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Overall:      4.9

Total Reviews: 35

Comments

Michele D

"This was the best continuing education class I've ever taken - just amazing!! I want to take more from Ms. Mansolillo now!"

Kathleen L

"Excellent training! Thank you."

Alexa P

"Extremely useful, plan to share course with all my colleagues. Thank you!!!"

Alison K

"Great presentation! Information was organized and thorough per topic."

Pamela D

"Best course in my 40 years experience!!"

Amy H

"This was a great course. Very informative and presenter was knowledgeable. Highly recommend"

Lori G

"Excellent Course!"

Nelia G

"This was the best course EVER! Very informative and Mrs. Mansolillo demonstrated to be very knowledgeable of the topics."

Susan D

"Excellent course"

Norma W

"Placed on quiz. Many thanks!"

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