Ms. K Rhea Devaiah is an accomplished Speech and Swallow Therapist with extensive experience in managing speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, and swallowing disorders across pediatric and adult populations.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP) from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSc SLP), and a Fellowship in Speech and Swallow Rehabilitation from the Dr. Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bengaluru.
Her clinical expertise spans neurological rehabilitation, voice and swallowing therapy in head and neck cancers, speech and language therapy, pediatric feeding difficulties, and complex airway and dysphagia management. She is proficient in advanced assessments such as Bedside Swallow Examination, Clinical Swallow Evaluation, Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), and Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS).
Her skill set is further strengthened by specialized certifications in Manual Therapy for Voice and Swallowing, PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets), Oral Placement Therapy – Level 1, Oral Sensory–Motor Intervention, Food Texture Progression in Pediatric Feeding, and ongoing training in the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP).
Ms. Rhea has worked with leading healthcare institutions including People Tree Hospitals, Narayana Health City, and Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, gaining experience in neurological, oncological, neonatal, infant feeding, and complex dysphagia care.
She is actively involved in research and academics and has presented award-winning scientific papers at national and international conferences such as ISHACON 2021 and ISHACON 2023. Her Master’s dissertation titled “Food Habits in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” highlights her strong interest in pediatric feeding research. She is also a lifetime member of the Indian Speech and Hearing Association (ISHA).
Known for her compassionate, evidence-based, and family-centered approach, she is dedicated to providing individualized therapy aimed at meaningful functional recovery.
- Assessment and rehabilitation of speech, language, cognition, and swallowing disorders
- Neurological speech, language, and dysphagia rehabilitation
- Pediatric speech, language, feeding, and swallowing therapy (neonates & infants)
- Voice care and rehabilitation
- Post-operative rehabilitation for oncology patients (laryngectomy, glossectomy, mandibulectomy, maxillectomy, thyroidectomy)
- Advanced instrumental evaluations: FEES (Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) & VFSS (Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study)
- Caregiver training and involvement for enhanced patient outcomes
- Master’s Program: First Class Distinction – Dr. SRCISH, Bangalore
- Additional Training & Certifications:
- Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) – 8 hours
- Oral Placement Therapy Level I – 24 hours
- PROMPT Technique Workshop – 24 hours
- Oral Sensory Motor Intervention for Pediatric Feeding – 6 hours
- Pediatric Feeding Therapy (Food Consistency & Texture) – 3 hours
- In Progress: Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImp), Manual Therapy for Voice and Swallowing
- Best Paper – ISHACON 2021, Mysore
- Second Place – Poster on food taste habits in children with ASD, Tiruchanapalli 2023
- Third Place – Poster on food texture habits in children with ASD, Dysphagia Conclave 2023, Goa
- Oral Presentations: ISHACON 2023; Commonwealth Association for Health & Disability 2018
- First Class Distinction – Master’s program, Dr. SRCISH, Bangalore
- Poster: Food taste habits in children with ASD – Tiruchanapalli 2023 (Second Place)
- Poster: Food texture habits in children with ASD – Dysphagia Conclave 2023, Goa (Third Place)
Oral Presentations:
- ISHACON 2023
- Commonwealth Association for Health & Disability 2018
- Webinar Participation: Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing, April 2021
