Dysphagia (Swallowing Difficulties)

Dysphagia refers to difficulty in swallowing, which can affect the ability to eat and drink safely and comfortably. Issues with swallowing can lead to problems such as choking, aspiration, or malnutrition, and can impact overall health and well-being.

At Thrive Health Therapies, we help individuals manage and improve their swallowing difficulties through tailored interventions. Our goal is to ensure that individuals can eat and drink safely, enjoy meals, and maintain proper nutrition while reducing the risk of complications.

Child and speech pathologist sitting on floor using language tools to assist with receptive language

What is Dysphagia (Swallowing Difficulty)?

Swallowing difficulty, known as dysphagia, encompasses any problems with sucking, swallowing, drinking, chewing, eating, controlling saliva, taking medication, or protecting the lungs from food and drink entering the airway. These challenges can include difficulty keeping the lips closed to prevent food, liquid, or saliva from dribbling out. Early signs of a swallowing problem often include coughing, gagging, or choking during meals. In more severe cases, food, drinks, or saliva may enter the lungs, potentially causing lung infections like pneumonia. A person may experience dysphagia as a result of a variety of conditions, including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, stroke, motor neurone disease, or dementia.

What Is the Impact of Swallowing Difficulties?

The impact of swallowing problems can range from short-term inconvenience to long-term health and quality-of-life issues. Dysphagia can make eating and drinking a stressful experience, leading to anxiety around mealtimes, malnutrition, dehydration, and even life-threatening conditions like aspiration pneumonia.

Identifying swallowing difficulties early is crucial. If you or a loved one experience any of the following symptoms, it is essential to seek help from your doctor or our speech pathologists:

  • Difficulty sucking during breast or bottle feeding (in infants).

  • A sensation of food or drink getting stuck in the throat.

  • A feeling that food or drink is going down the wrong way.

  • Prolonged meal times (taking over 30 minutes to finish a meal).

  • Coughing, choking, or frequent throat clearing during or after meals.

  • Shortness of breath or changes in breathing while eating and drinking.

  • Avoiding certain foods due to difficulty swallowing.

  • Unplanned weight loss or difficulty in gaining weight (in children).

  • Frequent, unexplained chest infections.

Untreated swallowing problems can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and reduced quality of life. Addressing these issues with the help of our speech pathologists is vital.

How Do Our Speech Pathologists Help Improve Swallowing?

Our speech pathologists are specially trained to support individuals with swallowing difficulties. They leverage their in-depth knowledge of the muscles involved in swallowing to develop personalised treatment plans. Here’s how we help:

  • Assessment: Our speech pathologists assess swallowing function by observing eating and drinking behaviours. They may use medical imaging (in hospital settings) to gain further insights. Dysphagia may result from underlying conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, stroke, motor neurone disease, or dementia. Learn more about our Swallowing Assessments.

  • Rehabilitation: Developing tailored exercises to strengthen the muscles used for chewing and swallowing.

  • Mealtime Adjustments: Recommending changes to food and drink textures to make swallowing safer and more manageable.

  • Techniques and Strategies: Teaching individuals strategies like taking smaller bites, eating slowly, and maintaining an upright posture during meals.

  • Caregiver Support: Coaching families and caregivers on safe feeding practices and creating positive mealtime experiences.

  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working with other professionals, such as dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and gastroenterologists, to provide comprehensive care.

  • Tube Feeding Recommendations: In severe cases, we may advise on alternative feeding methods, such as tube feeding, to ensure adequate nutrition and hydration.

How We Deliver Speech Pathology at Thrive Health Therapies

Thrive Health Therapies offers community-based, clinic-based, and telehealth speech pathology.

  • Community-Based Services: We provide community-based speech pathology in your home, school or kindergarten, or a location convenient to you throughout metropolitan Adelaide. Learn more about our service areas.

  • Clinic-Based Services: We provide clinic-based sessions at our Findon clinic.

  • Telehealth Services: We also offer comprehensive telehealth services, providing clients with convenient, video-based therapy consultations for those who may have difficulty travelling to our clinic or prefer the convenience of remote support.

Funding Options for Speech Pathology

We accept a variety of funding options, making augmentative and alternative communication therapy accessible for everyone:

Why Choose Our Speech Pathology Services?

  • No wait time: We can start working with paediatric or adult clients straight away!

  • Experienced: Our speech pathologists have extensive experience working with individuals of all ages.

  • Extensive Coverage in the community: We serve a large geographical area, providing speech therapy services across all of metropolitan Adelaide from Gawler to Aldinga. We see clients at home, in their school or kindergarten, or at a location convenient to them. Learn more about our services areas.

  • Clinic space: Our Findon clinic has been specially designed to be appropriate for a wide range of presentations and disabilities.

  • Individualised care: Every client receives a personalised therapy plan based on their unique needs and goals.

  • Neuroaffirming Practice: We provide compassionate and affirming services to support and empower neurodiverse individuals.

  • Multi-Disciplinary Approach: We offer a wide range of allied health services under one roof, allowing for a holistic approach to your health. Learn more about our team.

  • NDIS Provider: We provide services to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants

  • Funding Options: We accept a variety of funding options, helping our clients access the support they need.

  • LGBTQIA+ Friendly: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, Our Findon clinic is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people and families.

Paediatric speech pathologist sitting on floor with young child who has a nasogastric tube during therapy session

FAQs About Fluency

If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com

  • Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing, which can include trouble with eating, drinking, or swallowing liquids and solids. It can occur due to various conditions and may result in choking, aspiration, or poor nutrition.

  • Dysphagia can be caused by a range of factors, including neurological conditions (like stroke or Parkinson's disease), muscle disorders, structural issues, or age-related changes. It can also result from head or neck injuries.

  • Symptoms of dysphagia include difficulty swallowing, a sensation of food sticking in the throat or chest, coughing or choking during meals, pain while swallowing, and unexplained weight loss

  • No! We can start working with new clients right away.

    Once we have received a referral form with all of your details, we are able to book an Initial Assessment as soon as possible, depending on your availability.

    You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.

    If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.

  • If you are funded through Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) or Chronic Disease Management (CDM) we need the appropriate referral documentation from your GP.

    For all other funding sources you can refer yourself or your child directly via our online referral form, or reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.

  • Referring is easy! You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.

    If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.

  • We accept referrals from a wide range of funding sources, including the NDIS, home care packages, Department of Veterans Affairs, Chronic Disease Management (previously known as EPC) and private clients. Learn more about our accepted funding sources.

  • Prices vary between services. Our therapists work with you to ensure you get the best program of services within your budget allocation.

    Please contact us for a personalised quote.

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