Final answer:
A speech pathologist assists individuals with dysphagia by providing exercises, strategies, and techniques to aid in the relearning and strengthening of the swallowing process.
Step-by-step explanation:
A speech pathologist can assist a person with dysphagia (difficulties in swallowing) in several ways. Since dysphagia is often a result of nerve or muscle dysfunction that impairs the complex process of deglutition, the role of the pathologist is to provide targeted therapy tailored to the individual's condition. This may involve strengthening exercises for the muscles of the tongue, pharynx, and esophagus, strategies to improve tongue and throat coordination, and techniques to ensure safe swallowing to prevent choking and aspiration. In cases where dysphagia follows a neurological event, like a stroke, recovery is aided by the nervous system's adaptability; the speech pathologist works alongside the physical and occupational therapists to facilitate the relearning of lost functions.