Why choose STEP?

The Swallowing Training and Education Portal provides students, clinicians, and instructors with the dysphagia resources they need to succeed at any step - from basics to clinics. Our mission is to make evidence-based swallowing training and education affordable and accessible to all.

  • Learn from any place at your own pace

  • Advance your dysphagia skills at every stage

  • Expand your knowledge base and stay up-to-date

Comprehensive Dysphagia Education You Can Trust

Created by SLPs, for SLPs

  • Dysphagia Learning
    On-Demand

    Over 75 hours of affordable, high-quality dysphagia coursework delivered on-demand, so you can learn anytime, any place, at your own pace.

  • Developed by Swallowing Experts

    Courses created by dysphagia research and practice experts to deliver evidence-driven, practice-ready education that improves clinical outcomes.

  • Bridging Research and Clinical Practice

    Education grounded in current research and trusted clinical insights, translating evidence into practical guidance you can confidently apply in patient care.

  • Clinically Meaningful Engaging Education

    Thoughtfully designed engaging coursework that challenges clinical thinking and supports confident clinical application in dysphagia care across settings.

What You Will Learn

  • Deep dive into normal swallow function

  • Swallowing anatomy and physiology tutorials

  • Clinical and instrumental swallow assessments

  • Evidence-based dysphagia treatment

  • Critical thinking in dysphagia management

  • Advocacy and ethical practice recommendations

STEP Monthly Membership

Learn all about normal swallowing, swallow assessment, dysphagia treatment and professional issues with a STEP Membership. Our membership plans provide an entirely self-paced and comprehensive swallow study program, which can be cancelled any time!

Choose the membership plan right for you

  • Starter Plan

    $15 / month
    • 4 Core Learning Modules
    • Symposium 2020 Recordings
    • Down the Hatch Podcast
    • Earn ASHA CEUs

  • CEU Plan

    $25 / month
    • 4 Core Learning Modules
    • Symposium 2020 Recordings
    • Down the Hatch Podcast
    • Earn ASHA CEUs

Swallow Physiology Masterclass helps clinicians better understand swallow timing measures with the Videofluoroscopic Interpretation of Physiology (VIP) training program. It is a one-time purchase, instructor-led program, which includes recorded lectures, hands-on practice and a consultation with Dr. Ianessa Humbert.

What Learners Are Saying

 

“Our field has so much to learn and apply in the area of dysphagia. Loved hearing about more research and ways to progress our field in the area of EBP. This site is a STEP in the right direction for our profession. ”

Kristen Foster

“Stimulating discussions, engaging content, clinical focus, infused with research and EBP sprinkled in. Overall, lovely content and presenters. One of the best trainings I have ever attended. ”

Michelle Burton

“Highly informative for anyone who is or isn't treating dysphagia. Such an informative training, especially related to MBSS interpretation and documentation. Taught me how to think critically when assessing each patient and in developing treatment plans. Recommended highly! ”

Brittany Rushing

“Engaging, relevant, informative. Articulates my concerns related to the field. STEP helps clinicians STEP up their game. I could not recommend this training enough. ”

Amy Shipley

“I have learned so much. STEP has helped me become a better and more confident clinician. I am so excited to continue learning. Thank you so much!”

Cristina Vargas

“I am the type of student that learns best on my own, especially with videos, where I can pause, go back, make notes, and replay many times over. After finishing this course, I do not feel as anxious as I did about swallowing. The Normal Swallow material is presented clearly, in a concise way, and helped me think critically. Thanks for all the hard work you put into this. ”

Kyla Wombas

“This is the type of training I have been craving for years. Slow but effective pace, visual representation, and conclusion at each section yield higher retention. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Lisa McCabe

“As someone who supervises therapists and teaches a dysphagia course, I cannot stress how great this training is enough. I highly recommend STEP to instructor colleagues and students. ”

S Stern

Who created STEP?

Dr. Ianessa Humbert

Dr. Ianessa Humbert, Ph.D., SLP is a world-renowned and highly accomplished scientist, educator, and highly sought-after speaker, with decades of expertise in swallowing and swallowing disorders.

Dr. Rinki Varindani Desai

Rinki Varindani Desai, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S is a medical speech-language pathologist, board-certified dysphagia specialist, educator, and researcher, specializing in the assessment and treatment of swallowing disorders in adults since over a decade.