Swallowing and Feeding
Mealtimes are more than just eating – they’re an opportunity for nourishment, connection, and joy. We’re here to help make every meal a positive, safe, and enjoyable experience.
Did you know that swallowing is one of the most complex actions our bodies perform, using over 30 muscles and nerves, and we do it around 500 to 700 times a day, often without even realising it?
When everything is working well, swallowing feels effortless. But when something goes wrong with our swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia, it can affect not only nutrition and hydration but also confidence, comfort, and connection.
At Greenlights Therapies, we provide personalised, evidence-based support for children and adults experiencing feeding and swallowing difficulties. Whether it’s a child learning to eat or an adult managing dysphagia, our goal is to make mealtimes safer, more enjoyable, and more meaningful—because eating and drinking are about more than just nourishment; they’re central to culture, family, and quality of life.
Dysphagia affects over one million Australians—and it’s more common than you might think.
Swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia, can occur at any age and is often associated with medical or developmental conditions. Dysphagia is frequently seen in individuals with neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, and dementia, as well as in children with developmental delays, cerebral palsy, or acquired brain injuries.
At Greenlights Therapies, we understand that dysphagia can impact more than just nutrition and hydration—it can affect comfort, independence, and social participation. Our therapy is tailored to the individual, with a focus on safety, dignity, and enhancing quality of life through meaningful, person-centred care.
What is Swallowing and Feeding?
Swallowing is the complex process that moves food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. When this process is disrupted—known as dysphagia—it can lead to coughing, choking, or food and drink entering the lungs instead of the stomach. This is called aspiration, which can increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia, a serious lung infection that can be life-threatening. We provide expert support to help improve swallowing safety, reduce risks, and enhance comfort and confidence at mealtimes.
Feeding refers to how we eat, including accepting food, chewing, and coordinating eating and drinking. In children, feeding difficulties may involve food refusal, sensory sensitivities, or delays in developing feeding skills. Sometimes, these challenges are related to anatomical differences, such as cleft lip or palate, tongue-tie, or structural issues in the mouth or throat.
FAQ
What are swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and what causes them?
Swallowing difficulties, or dysphagia, occur when the normal process of swallowing is disrupted. This can happen due to muscle weakness, neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, Parkinson’s disease), anatomical differences (e.g., cleft palate, tongue-tie), or other medical conditions. Dysphagia can affect both children and adults and can make eating and drinking difficult and impacting quality of life.
How do I know if my child has feeding difficulties?
Feeding difficulties in children can manifest in several ways, including:
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Difficulty chewing or swallowing certain textures
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Refusing certain foods or textures
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Coughing or choking during meals
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Excessive gagging or spitting out food
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Delayed development of self-feeding skills
If your child experiences any of these signs, a speech pathologist can assess their feeding and swallowing function to identify any underlying issues.
Can dysphagia affect my child’s growth and development?
Yes, untreated swallowing or feeding difficulties can impact a child’s growth and development. Difficulty swallowing may prevent them from getting adequate nutrition or hydration, leading to issues with weight gain, energy levels, and overall health.
What are the risks of swallowing difficulties in adults?
In adults, swallowing difficulties can increase the risk of aspiration, where food or liquid enters the lungs instead of the stomach. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia, a serious lung infection. Swallowing difficulties can also lead to choking, and can also result in malnutrition, dehydration, and reduced quality of life, as eating and drinking become stressful or unsafe.
How can speech therapy help with swallowing and feeding difficulties?
Speech therapy can help by providing tailored exercises and strategies to improve swallowing function and feeding skills. For children, therapy might involve play-based techniques to encourage safe eating and develop skills, while for adults, therapy might focus on strengthening muscles, improving coordination, and using modified diets or swallowing techniques to prevent choking or aspiration.
What is an instrumental dysphagia assessment, and when is it needed?
An instrumental dysphagia assessment involves specialised tests, such as a videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) or a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), which allow a speech pathologist to observe the swallowing process in real time and identify any issues with swallowing function. These assessments are often used when a clinical examination is not enough to fully understand the cause of swallowing difficulties, especially if there is a concern about aspiration or the risk of aspiration pneumonia. If necessary, we may refer you for one of these investigations or collaborate with other specialists, such as ENTs (Ear, Nose, and Throat specialists), dietitians, or neurologists, to ensure comprehensive care and develop a holistic treatment plan.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, live, and gather. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognise their ongoing connection to land, waters, and culture. We are committed to fostering inclusive and culturally respectful healthcare services that meet the needs of First Nations communities across Tasmania and beyond.