Swallowing Assessment & Dysphagia

Tailored swallowing assessments

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can cause coughing, choking and inhalation of food and drink into the lungs as well as poor saliva control, or drooling. It can lead to serious health issues, including respiratory infections (aspiration pneumonia) malnutrition and dehydration, and affect a person’s independence, confidence and social participation.

The first step to identifying and treating dysphagia is a swallowing assessment. In addition to talking to you about your swallowing difficulties, your speech pathologist will observe you eating and drinking, as well as asses the muscles used for this.

Effective dysphagia support

Our speech pathologists can develop a personalised program to help you swallow safely. Your program might include swallowing exercises, modifying the texture of your foods and drinks, and teaching swallowing techniques to reduce risks and improve quality of life. Your speech pathologist can also train your family members and other caregivers on safe feeding techniques to ensure everyone in your support network is involved and aware of how they can help.

Organise a speech pathology swallowing assessment today.

We provide support for a range of different conditions and needs

As a registered multidisciplinary NDIS allied health provider, you can come to us for your dysphagia or other speech pathology needs as well as personalised and multidisciplinary support from our occupational therapists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and positive behaviour support practitioners.

With clinics across Australia, support is always nearby

Better Rehab has clinics and offices spanning major cities and key urban centres. Our clinicians are also able to provide tailored therapy solutions by telehealth.

Across all our sites, our operating hours are 8:30am to 5pm.