Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia)
Feeding & Swallowing Assessment
Dysphagia refers to difficulty in swallowing food, fluids, or saliva. It can occur in both children and adults due to a variety of medical, neurological, or developmental conditions.
When a person has difficulty swallowing, there is a risk of aspiration—a condition where food, drink, or saliva enters the airway and lungs instead of going down the food pipe. Repeated aspiration can lead to respiratory infections, aspiration pneumonia, and in severe cases, may become life-threatening.
Signs of Dysphagia:
You or your loved one may be experiencing dysphagia if you notice:
- Coughing, choking, or gagging during meals
- Wet or gurgly voice after eating or drinking
- Food or liquid leaking from the mouth or nose
- Difficulty chewing or managing food in the mouth
- Long feeding times or refusal to eat
- Recurrent chest infections or unexplained fevers
- Unexplained weight loss or poor growth in children
How can Speech Therapists Help?
Your therapist will:
- Assess swallowing muscles and reflexes
- Observe feeding or drinking in real-time
- Create a personalised therapy plan
Treatment Approaches May Include:
- Direct Therapy (Rehabilitative Approaches)
These techniques aim to strengthen and improve the coordination of the muscles involved in swallowing:
- Swallowing exercises to rebuild muscle strength
- Head and neck exercises to support posture and airway protection
- Techniques to stimulate the nerves and reflexes that trigger swallowing
- Compensatory Strategies (Supportive Approaches)
These strategies help make swallowing safer and easier in everyday situations:
- Modifying food textures or liquid consistencies (e.g., pureed foods or thickened liquids)
- Using adaptive utensils or cups to support safer self-feeding
- Adjusting feeding positions to reduce aspiration risk
- Mealtime strategies to support calm, coordinated swallowing
Every plan is tailored to the individual’s needs and abilities, and families/caregivers are closely involved in the process.
Working with the family
- We understand that feeding and swallowing difficulties can be emotionally and physically overwhelming. We provide:
- Hands-on caregiver training
- Education on mealtime safety
- Practical tools and home strategies
- Ongoing monitoring and collaboration with medical teams (e.g., doctors, dietitians, occupational therapists)
If you or your loved one is showing signs of swallowing difficulty, early support is essential.
Our goal is to help individuals eat and drink as safely, comfortably, and independently as possible—while improving overall well-being and quality of life.
Contact us today to schedule a swallowing assessment or to learn more about dysphagia management services.
