Swallowing Assessment

A swallowing assessment, also known as a dysphagia assessment, is a clinical evaluation conducted by a registered speech pathologist to determine how safely and effectively a person can swallow food, liquids, and saliva. The assessment examines all phases of the swallowing process, identifies any difficulties or aspiration risks, and provides recommendations for safe eating and drinking. Results are used to develop a management plan that may include diet texture modifications, swallowing exercises, positioning strategies, and referrals for further investigation if needed.

Signs that may indicate a swallowing difficulty include coughing or choking during or after eating and drinking, a wet or gurgly voice quality after swallowing, food or liquid coming back up through the nose, difficulty chewing or moving food around the mouth, pain when swallowing, taking a long time to finish meals, unexplained weight loss, or recurrent chest infections. If you or someone you support is experiencing any of these symptoms, a clinical swallowing assessment can help identify the cause and provide strategies to reduce risk and improve safety during mealtimes.

Yes, swallowing assessments are commonly funded through NDIS plans under the Capacity Building Supports category, specifically Improved Daily Living. Funding can cover the initial clinical assessment, follow-up therapy sessions, mealtime management plans, and reports for NDIS plan reviews or other providers. The amount of funding available depends on your individual plan goals and the level of support needed. Our team can help you understand how your NDIS plan applies to swallowing assessment services and ensure we work within your funding allocation.

During a clinical swallowing assessment, your speech pathologist will begin by gathering your medical history, current symptoms, dietary intake, and any concerns. They will then examine the muscles and structures involved in swallowing, including the lips, tongue, jaw, and palate. You will be asked to swallow different food textures and liquid consistencies while the speech pathologist observes for signs of difficulty such as coughing, delayed swallow initiation, or voice changes. The assessment is non-invasive and typically conducted in your home, aged care facility, or community setting through our mobile service.

Yes, many swallowing difficulties can be managed or improved with speech therapy. Depending on the nature and severity of the difficulty, your speech pathologist may recommend swallowing exercises to strengthen the muscles involved, strategies to improve swallow safety such as positioning techniques or swallow manoeuvres, diet texture modifications to reduce aspiration risk, and environmental changes to support safer mealtimes. Therapy is tailored to the individual’s specific swallowing profile, medical history, and personal goals. Regular reassessment ensures the management plan is adjusted as needs change over time.

Swallowing assessments can support a wide range of people, including stroke survivors, older adults in aged care or receiving home care, people living with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or motor neurone disease, NDIS participants with swallowing difficulties related to disability, children with developmental delays or feeding difficulties, and people recovering from head and neck surgery or cancer treatment. If there is any concern about swallowing safety, a clinical assessment is the first step toward identifying the issue and developing an appropriate management plan.

Booking a swallowing assessment is straightforward. You can request an appointment through our website or by calling our team directly. No GP referral is required, though we accept referrals from GPs, specialists, aged care facilities, hospitals, support coordinators, and other health professionals. Our registered speech pathologists deliver swallowing assessments through our mobile service across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, coming to your home, aged care facility, or community setting. We work with NDIS participants, aged care providers, and families accessing private funding.