When, during the oral preparatory phase of swallowing (chewing, mixing with saliva), some of the liquid or food material escapes and begins to drain down into the hypopharynx. A tendency toward early spillover can accompany a poor ability to “organize” the food material within the mouth. Individuals with this tendency can include those who have had a partial glossectomy, have a neurological disease like ALS, or have suffered a stroke. The finding of early spillover is often seen as well with a delayed swallow reflex.