Speech Pathology Services
Humans swallow at least 700 times a day: around three times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake and even more often during meals.
We swallow food, liquids, medicines and saliva. People who have trouble swallowing can be at risk of poor nutrition, dehydration and respiratory concerns.
Speech Pathologist’s assess and care for people living with swallowing difficulties. A Speech Pathologist may recommend changes to a person’s food and fluid consistencies to decrease any risks associated with eating and drinking. Speech pathologists will also provide education regarding safe swallowing strategies and in some cases can provide swallowing rehabilitation exercise programs to improve swallow function. We are able to provide formal Mealtime Management Plans for you if you require one.
Speech Pathologists work in collaboration with General Practitioners, Neurologists, Otolaryngologists and Respiratory physicians to manage dysphagia.
Signs and Symptoms of Swallowing Difficulties
- Look out for:
- Coughing or choking during or after eating/drinking
- Wet or gurgly voice quality during or after meals
- Taking longer than usual to eat or drink
- Food or liquid coming out of the nose
- Discomfort or pain when swallowing
- Drooling or food residue left in the mouth
- Unexplained weight loss or recurrent chest infections
- Reluctance to eat or avoidance of certain food textures
If someone is coughing frequently during meals or has had a recent chest infection, a swallowing assessment should be arranged as soon as possible.
Managing Dysphagia
Dysphagia poses significant challenges to individuals’ health and quality of life, but timely intervention by a Speech Pathologist can help. By recognising the signs of dysphagia, understanding its consequences, and leveraging specialised assessment and intervention techniques, Speech Pathologists empower individuals with swallowing difficulties to regain confidence and independence in eating and drinking.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms suggestive of dysphagia, seeking a referral to a Speech Pathologist can be the crucial first step toward safer swallowing, more effective management and improved quality of life.
Customised Intervention Strategies
Upon referral, a Speech Pathologist conducts a comprehensive assessment of the individual’s eating and drinking abilities. This assessment may include observing mealtime behaviors, evaluating the types of food and drink consumed, and assessing oral motor function.
Occasionally when a Speech Pathologist is unable to gain sufficient information about the swallow function from their assessment in the home, or if the swallowing issue is particularly complex, they will refer an individual with a swallowing concern for a Videofluroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS). This study provides additional information about the anatomy and physiology of the swallow and helps guide the Speech Pathologist’s intervention in the community.
Based on the assessment findings, Speech Pathologists develop personalised intervention plans tailored to the individual’s specific needs. These may include modifying food and drink textures to make swallowing safer and more manageable. For instance, thickening liquids or softening solid foods can assist individuals with varying degrees of dysphagia. Speech Pathologists can also trial adaptive dysphagia equipment including specific drinking cups and straws which can be utilised to help make swallowing safer and more comfortable for people with swallowing impairments.
Speech Pathologists regularly review swallowing function and recommendations following the initial assessment as is required. This is to ensure that intervention is reflective of an individual’s specific needs and that any changes to recommendations can be made if swallowing function changes over time.
Rehabilitation and Swallowing Techniques
In addition to dietary / fluid texture modifications, education and safe swallowing strategies, Speech Pathologists may prescribe rehabilitative exercises and swallowing techniques to improve dysphagia.
These exercises aim to strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing and enhance coordination between the mouth and throat. Training around compensatory strategies, postural adjustments and pacing techniques with oral intake can also optimise swallowing safety and efficiency.
FAQ
-
Do you come to the home or aged care facility?
Yes. We provide in-home and aged care facility assessments across our service regions.
-
Can I request a swallowing assessment without a GP referral?
Yes. You can self-refer to Community Therapy for a swallowing assessment.
-
How urgent is a swallowing assessment?
If someone is regularly coughing during meals, losing weight, or has had recurrent chest infections, assessment should be arranged within days, not weeks. Aspiration pneumonia is potentially life-threatening.
-
Can swallowing function improve with therapy?
Yes — for many conditions, particularly following stroke or brain injury. Recovery potential depends on the underlying cause and time since onset, but improvement is possible even years after an event.
-
What Does a Swallowing Assessment Involve?
Clinical Swallowing Examination (CSE)
Our speech pathologist observes you eating and drinking different textures and consistencies. We assess oral control, swallow function, and signs of aspiration or residue. The assessment is conducted at your home, in aged care, or in clinic.
Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) or FEES
In some cases, a specialist imaging assessment is recommended to see the swallow in real-time. Your speech pathologist will refer you and provide a report to the specialist facility.
Assessment outcomes:
- A written report with findings and recommendations
- A Mealtime Management Plan tailored to your setting (home, residential care, hospital)
- Dietary texture modification recommendations using the IDDSI Framework (Levels 0–7)
- Fluid thickening requirements if indicated
- Carer and staff training
-
The IDDSI Framework — Understanding Texture Levels
The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) provides a universal system for describing food textures and fluid thicknesses:
IDDSI Level Description Examples 0 Thin Water, juice, black tea 1 Slightly thick Tomato juice 2 Mildly thick Thickened fluids (mild) 3 Liquidised Smooth soups, thinly pureed 4 Pureed Smooth, no lumps 5 Minced & Moist Finely minced meat, soft rice 6 Soft & Bite-Sized Soft cooked vegetables, banana 7 Regular Normal diet Your speech pathologist will specify the safest IDDSI levels for eating and drinking. This guides carers, meal providers, and family members.
