Rafaella Georgiou

Feeding and swallowing disorders (FSDs) are common in both typically developing children and those with complex medical or developmental needs, leading to health issues and significant strain on parents/caregivers. This study aimed to translate and adapt the Feeding and Swallowing Impact Survey into Greek, providing a validated tool to assess the impact of these disorders on caregivers’ quality of life. The study group included 92 parents and caregivers of children with FSDs, whereas the control group consisted of 90 parents/caregivers of typically developing children. Participants completed the Greek‐translated survey twice over a 10‐day period, with clinical data collected from medical records. The Greek version of the survey demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.939) and strong test–retest reliability (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.924–0.986). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the instrument's validity, with comparative fit index = 0.837, Tucker–Lewis's index = 0.811 and root mean square error of approximation = 0.146. The Greek version successfully distinguished between the study and control groups, as well as different types of FSDs. These findings confirm that the Greek‐translated and adapted survey is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the impact of FSDs on caregivers’ quality of life.

Objectives: Inappropriate mealtime procedures can complicate a child’s feeding process and lead to behavioral issues, emphasizing the importance of parents’ perceptions of their child’s feeding behaviors. This study aimed to translate and validate the Mealtime Behavior Questionnaire (MBQ) into Greek and examine the mealtime behaviors of Greek Cypriot children and families. Methods: The sample included 200 monolingual Greek Cypriot parents. It was divided into two groups: parents ( N = 100) whose children exhibited typical mealtime behavior (tp-MBG) and parents ( N = 100) whose children displayed non-typical mealtime behavior (ntp-MBG). They were selected from Cypriot public and special public schools, and speech-language clinics. The children’s parents completed the MBQ questionnaire, which was re-administered in 10 days. Results: MBQ-GR showed good discrimination between the tp-MBG and ntp-MBG groups [ t (198) = 10.810, p 0.001]. It had high internal consistency [Cronbach’s α = 0.944], very good test-retest reliability (ICC= 0.933 [95%, CI: 0.918–0.946]), and external criterion validity ( r = 0.820, p 0.001). MBQ cutoff was equal to 57.00 [sensitivity of 0.660 and 1-specificity of 0.07-AUC 0.870, (95% CI: 0.822–0.918), p 0.001]. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the four factors originally suggested, using a robust weighted least squares estimator with mean and variance adjustments, accounting for the data’s ordinal and highly skewed characteristics. The resulting estimates suggested a very good fit of the data to the CFA model. Conclusions: MBQ-GR has great reliability and validity and can be utilized to evaluate preliminary feeding behavioral issues related to feeding challenges in children of Greek-Cypriot cultural background.

Background/Objective: Pediatric feeding problems are becoming more widespread. They represent a synthesis of social, behavioral, and biological issues. Inevitably, the multifaceted nature of these problems has to be evaluated through one multidimensional tool. The Pediatric Assessment Scale for Severe Feeding Problems is designed to assess these complex issues and represents the first attempt to associate these factors into a single multidimensional measure. The aim of this study is to translate and culturally adapt the Pediatric Assessment Scale for Severe Feeding Problems into Greek and to assess its psychometric properties for use among a Greek Cypriot pediatric sample. Methods: This study involved 142 parents of children with symptoms of feeding problems. It included parents of children who were oral-fed (n = 65), partially oral-fed with supplementation (n = 62), and tube-fed (n = 15). The sample of parents was recruited from mainstream and special education schools in Cyprus and were asked to complete a Greek-translated version of the PASS-FP. Results: The PASS-FP-Gr demonstrated excellent psychometric properties. Internal consistency was good, and test–retest reliability showed a perfect Spearman’s rank correlation with high significance. The tool exhibited strong discriminatory ability, with statistically significant differences in median scores across the three feeding groups. Conclusions: The PASS-FP appears sensitive to the Greek Cypriot population and presents satisfactory psychometric features. It demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability, as evidenced by the participants’ consistent response patterns.

Background/Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) includes significant feeding difficulties, behavioral issues, and communication deficits that are linked to serious medical complications and developmental challenges. The Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) is a commonly used tool to screen for mealtime behavior problems in children with ASD; however, it lacks validation for use within the Greek-Cypriot population. The current study sought to present the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the BAMBI for Greek-Cypriot parents of children with ASD. Methods: Three bilingual experts translated the inventory into Greek, following the translation guidelines by the World Health Organization. The inventory was then administered to 117 parents: 42 children with ASD and 75 typically developing children. Principal Component Analysis was used to obtain the tool’s statistical reliability and validity. Results: BAMBI-Gr demonstrated strong internal consistency, as indicated by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.755, and showed excellent test–retest reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.999. PCA identified three key factors: General Refusals, Refusing Food, and Autism-Related Features. Significant differences in BAMBI-Gr scores of the comparative group of parents of children with ASD and parents of typically developing children highlighted the tool’s sensitivity in detecting mealtime behavior problems. Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis set the cut-off points for optimum distinguishing of feeding problems at 46.00 (sensitivity 0.738, 1-specificity 0.000). Conclusions: The Greek-translated version of the BAMBI demonstrates validity and effectiveness as a parent-reported assessment tool for identifying feeding and mealtime difficulties in children with ASD.

Background/Objectives: The Distress Thermometer for Parents represents an excellent tool for the rapid assessment of emotional distress in parents of children with a variety of chronic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Distress Thermometer for Parents in assessing emotional distress in parents and caregivers of children with feeding and swallowing difficulties feeding swallowing disorders or, dysphagia, in the Greek Cypriot community. Methods: It involved 200 Greek Cypriot participants: 100 parents/caregivers of children with FSD and 100 parents/caregivers of children without such difficulties. Demographic and clinical data were collected and test–retest reliability was evaluated. Results: The DT-P demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.928) and strong test–retest consistency (r = 1.00, p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed strong discrimination for detecting distress, with an AUC of 0.76 for parents of children under 24 months and 0.77 for parents of children over 2 years (p < 0.01). Parents reported a medium level of distress (M = 3.67, SD = 2.89), with “Emotional Problems” (M = 2.03, SD = 2.28) and “Practical Problems” (M = 1.79, SD = 2.12) contributing most significantly. Independent t-tests revealed significantly higher distress levels in parents in the clinical group compared to the parents in the typical group (p < 0.001), confirming the DT-P’s sensitivity and validity. Conclusions: The Greek version of the DT-P is a reliable and valid tool assessing distress in parents of children with PFD. This study highlights significantly higher distress levels in these parents compared to those of typically developing children, emphasizing the need for targeted support.

Background: Parents’ reports are frequently utilized to evaluate children with eating difficulties. To forecast a child's eating pattern, information on feeding skills is crucial. The Children's Eating Behavior Inventory (CEBI) is a valuable questionnaire addressing child-parent behavior during mealtimes. Objective: This study intended to validate the Greek version of CEBI by the Greek Cypriot parents, of preschool and school-aged populations with or without feeding difficulties. Methods: 100 Greek Cypriot parents of children with typical eating behaviors (c-teb) and 100 parents of children with non-typical eating behaviors (c-nteb) participated in this study. All participants completed the Greek-translated version of the CEBI questionnaire. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the c-teb and the c-nteb groups [t (198) = −1.628 p < 0.005] for the CEBI total score. The instrument has strong internal consistency with Cronbach-a 0.854, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.843–0.859), strong test-retest reliability (r = 0.999, p  < 0.001), and good external criterion validity [MCH-FS (r = −0.712, p < .001) and the AYCE r = −0.660, p < .001)]. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis estimated a cut-off = 83.00 (sensitivity of 0.870 and a 1-specificity of 0.250) with Area Under the Curve, AUC  = 0.848, (95% CI: 0.792–0.905), p  < 0.001. Conclusions: The Greek CEBI revealed excellent sensitivity, reliability, and clinical validity, which can support healthcare providers in Greek Cypriot settings.

Background: Paediatric dysphagia refers to any feeding and/or swallowing problem that affects nutritional or liquid intake safety or adequacy. There is a prominent lack of available evidence‐based effective therapeutic tools to facilitate the rehabilitation of feeding and/or swallowing disorders in children.Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of focal vibration therapy—Novafon as an assistive therapeutic intervention for children with feeding and swallowing difficulties.Methods: The study involved 122 children with dysphagia who were divided into two groups: (1) 61 children who received conventional dysphagia therapy (cCDTh) and (2) 61 children who received conventional dysphagia therapy in combination with Novafon therapy (cCDTh+NTh). All children were evaluated for pre‐, mid‐ and post‐dysphagia therapy with the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) and Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool‐10 (PEDI‐EAT‐10) in different Cypriot school and health settings.Results: PEDI‐EAT‐10 total scores for both groups observed that the cCDTh+NTh group had a significant decrease in the overall median between pre‐ and post‐dysphagia therapy total score (Median = 3.00) compared to the cTDTh score (Median = 7.00). GUSS total scores between the two groups showed an increase in overall medians but the cCDTh+NTh group (Median of pre‐therapy = 16.50, mid–therapy = 19.00 and post‐therapy = 20.00) noted a higher increase in medians compared to the cCDTh group (Median of pre‐therapy = 15.00, mid‐therapy = 16.00 and post‐therapy = 17.00).Conclusion: The present study highlights that focal vibration therapy using Novafon may serve as an effective and supportive approach within conventional dysphagia therapy for children. Further research is necessary to enhance the evidence‐based literature on the use of Novafon in paediatric dysphagia.

Introduction: Language sampling is a widely used means of language assessment; it is based on the collection and transcription of a child's language production in various communicative contexts. The need for social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacted language sampling and speech and language therapy services in general. The in-person assessment became extremely challenging leading to the immediate increased use of telepractice in speech and language therapy. This scoping review aimed to identify the use of telepractice for language sampling in speech and language therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A scoping review of existing literature was performed to collect evidence on using language sample collection via telepractice. A database search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Mendeley, Electronic, and grey bibliography in 2022. Articles were included if they met the inclusion criteria. The quality of each selected study was assessed using the modified critical appraisal skills program (CASP) checklist. Results: Systematic searches identified 51 studies with six studies in total meeting the inclusion criteria. The results showed that telepractice was a necessary tool during the pandemic of COVID-19 to conduct language sampling in speech and language assessment. Conclusion: Speech and language therapists (SLTs) effectively collected language samples through telepractice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, to date, the literature on language sampling via telepractice is limited. The need for SLTs to rely on telepractice for language sampling warrants further investigation.

Pediatric dysphagia is defined as a disorder of the swallowing sequence that results in difficulties compromising the safety, efficiency, or adequacy of nutritional intake in children [1–3]. Moreov...

Indications of the communicative abilities of the Rett Syndrome (RTT) are distinct with impending speech-language and communication abilities; thus, assessment is challenging. This review aims to support the clinical work of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) while assessing the communication aptitudes of children with RTT. Adequate consideration should be given to their nonverbal skills since they can demonstrate suitable forms and functions in communication development. During this outlined assessment procedure, attention is drawn to medical and developmental history, informal and formal speech-language evaluation, and analysis of aided language samples while setting up intervention therapy objectives. The assessment procedure in this review describes current principles and methods for nonbiased, appropriate evaluation while providing a beneficial and suitable protocol for the comprehensive communication assessment of RTT.