TIMS University Webinar
The Velopharyngeal Port: The Forgotten Sphincter in Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing
March 31, 2025 at 8:00PM EST | 0.1 ASHA CEUS / 1 PDH
Course Instructors
Loredana Cuglietta
MHSc., R.SLP., S-LP (C)
Stollery Children's Hospital
Co – Lead in the Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic
Loredana Cuglietta has an undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta Faculty of Education. She received her Master’s in Health Science from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto.
Loredana works in the Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic, at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. There she provides care for infants to adolescents up to the age of 18 years old. She works in pediatric feeding and swallowing and speech and resonance. During infancy, care is focused on helping babies feed and swallow well to grow and thrive. As these infants mature, the focus in care is on ensuring the velopharyngeal port is working well for speech production and swallowing.
In addition to her clinical role, Loredana is extremely passionate about advocacy and education for the S-LP profession and serves on the board of directors for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Canada as well as the Curriculum Standards Review Committee for the Council for Accreditation of Canadian University Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
Disclosures
Loredana has no financial or non-financial disclosures to report for this course.
Course Information
Description
The Velopharyngeal Port: The Forgotten Sphincter in Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing will discuss critical aspects of velopharyngeal function in infancy and childhood. This course will explore the developmental trajectory of velopharyngeal function, the implications of nasopharyngeal reflux as a potential indicator of aspiration, and the differentiation between structural and neuromotor velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). Participants will gain insights into effective strategies for assessing and addressing both types of VPD, empowering them to optimize care for pediatric patients.
Learning Outcomes
Define the development of velopharyngeal function during infancy and childhood
Describe the literature regarding nasopharyngeal reflux including whether or not it is a predictor of aspiration
Contrast and classify structural versus neuromotor velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD)
Analyze structural and neuromotor VPDs to formulate solutions
Agenda
8:00 - 8:03 Introduction, disclosures, learner outcomes
8:03 - 8:05 Introduction to the velopharyngeal (VP) port
8:05 - 8:16 Review VP port development throughout infancy and childhood
8:16 - 8:26 Review literature associated with nasopharyngeal reflux and velopharyngeal dysfunction
8:26 - 8:43 - Characteristics of structural versus neuromotor VPD
8:43 - 8:55 - Solutions for structural and neuromotor VPD
8:55 - 9:00 - Questions and Closing
Satisfactory Course Completion Requirements
To successfully complete the course, participants must attend the entire live event and submit the post-course survey.
