Eating & Swallowing Support
Supporting safer and more comfortable mealtimes
Understanding swallowing difficulties
Dysphagia means difficulty with eating, drinking or swallowing. It can present in different ways, including coughing or choking during meals, difficulty managing certain food or drink textures, changes in breathing or voice during meals, or difficulty managing saliva.
Swallowing difficulties can affect a person’s health, nutrition, hydration, independence and enjoyment of mealtimes. In some circumstances, dysphagia can also increase the risk of food or fluid entering the airway and developing aspiration-related complications.
Comprehensive swallowing assessments
Our Speech Pathologists assess each person’s individual swallowing needs and mealtime environment.
Depending on the participant, an assessment may include observing eating and drinking, reviewing current food and fluid textures, considering positioning and the mealtime environment, and assessing relevant oral motor and swallowing function.
Where further investigation is required, we can also support appropriate referrals and recommendations.
Personalised mealtime support
- Strategies to support safer eating and drinking
- Food and fluid texture recommendations where clinically indicated
- Positioning and mealtime strategies
- Individualised Mealtime Management Plans
- Support with swallowing techniques
- Education and training for families, carers and support workers
- Ongoing review as needs change
- Independent living
Safer mealtimes, with the right support
Supporting the people around you
Allied health, working together
 provides multidisciplinary support across
