Neurological dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing due to a problem in the brain or nervous system. This type of swallowing disorder happens when the nerves and muscles in the mouth or throat don’t work properly. As a result, food or liquid may not move safely from the mouth to the esophagus (food pipe). This can lead to coughing, choking, or food going down the wrong way (aspiration).

Children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other neurological disorders may experience this type of dysphagia, especially in the oral and throat phases of swallowing.