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Swallowing Assessments for Adults and Children
Innerlink Therapy provides comprehensive swallowing assessments for children and adults experiencing difficulties with eating, drinking or swallowing. Our experienced Speech Pathologists assess swallowing function, identify potential concerns and provide practical recommendations to support safer and more enjoyable mealtimes.
Swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia, can affect a person’s ability to safely manage food, fluids and medications. Our team works collaboratively with individuals, families, carers and other healthcare professionals to develop personalised strategies that support nutrition, safety, independence and quality of life.
What is Dysphagia?
Dysphagia is the medical term used to describe difficulty swallowing food, drinks, or medications. Swallowing may seem simple, but it is actually a complex process that involves many muscles and nerves working together to move food safely from the mouth to the stomach.
When swallowing does not work as expected, food, fluids or medication may become difficult to manage, feel stuck, or enter the airway instead of travelling safely towards the stomach.
If dysphagia is not identified and managed, it can lead to health complications such as dehydration, poor nutrition, weight loss, or chest infections caused by food or liquid entering the lungs.
Swallowing difficulties are more common in older adults and in people with medical conditions such as stroke, neurological disorders, or dementia.
Why a Swallowing Assessment is Important
At Innerlink Therapy, our speech pathologists provide dysphagia (swallowing) assessments to help identify and manage eating and drinking difficulties safely.
A swallowing assessment helps to:
- Identify swallowing difficulties and whether further investigation is needed
- Reduce the risk of choking
- Reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia or chest infections (food/liquid entering the lungs)
- Recommend strategies to reduce swallowing risks associated with food and drinks, and liaise with the prescriber or pharmacist where medication swallowing is a concern
- Maintain proper nutrition and hydration
- Support comfort and enjoyment during meals
Our clinicians carefully assess chewing, swallowing, and overall eating skills. We use evidence-based clinical knowledge together with a compassionate approach that respects the person’s dignity, preferences, and quality of life.
Signs of Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Difficulties
Changes in eating or drinking can sometimes indicate a swallowing difficulty. If you notice any of the following signs, a swallowing assessment may be helpful:
- Food or medication sticking in the mouth, throat, or chest
- Coughing or choking when eating or drinking
- Food or fluids coming back out through the mouth or nose
- Spitting out food that has not been fully chewed or swallowed
- Loose or poorly fitting dentures
- Poor oral hygiene or food remaining in the mouth after meals
- Weakness in the tongue, lips, or facial muscles
- A wet or “gurgly” sounding voice after swallowing
- Changes in breathing during or after meals
- Taking a long time to finish meals or losing interest in food
- Concerns raised by family members or carers
- Recurrent chest infections or aspiration pneumonia
These signs should not be ignored, as swallowing problems can affect a person’s health, safety, and quality of life.
Swallowing Assessments for Aged Care Residents
Innerlink Therapy provides swallowing assessment visits for older adults in residential aged care. Our speech pathologists work with residents, families, nursing staff and other health professionals to assess swallowing difficulties and recommend practical strategies that support safer, more comfortable and enjoyable mealtimes.
Supporting the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards took effect on 1 November 2025. Standard 5: Clinical Care addresses the identification and management of swallowing risks, while Standard 6: Food and Nutrition focuses on food, drinks and the dining experience in residential aged care.
Speech pathology assessments and documented recommendations can support aged care providers with:
- Identifying swallowing difficulties and the need for further investigation.
- Incorporating individual swallowing recommendations into care and mealtime planning.
- Considering food textures, drink consistencies and mealtime assistance according to assessed needs.
- Sharing relevant recommendations with the people involved in a resident’s care.
- Recognising when changes in swallowing or health warrant reassessment.
Respecting Individual Choice and Mealtime Preferences
Speech Pathology Australia’s aged care guidance emphasises individualised mealtime support, informed choice and respect for each person’s communication needs, preferences and cultural background.
Our approach considers the resident’s comfort, goals and quality of life alongside swallowing risks. We support residents and those involved in their care to understand assessment findings and make informed decisions about eating and drinking.
Learn more about the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and Speech Pathology Australia’s communication and swallowing guidance for aged care.
Supporting Safe and Enjoyable Mealtimes
Every person deserves to eat and drink safely while maintaining their independence and quality of life. At Innerlink Therapy, we work closely with individuals, families, and care providers to create practical strategies that support safe and enjoyable mealtimes.
If you are concerned about swallowing difficulties, our team can help guide you through the assessment process and provide personalised recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a swallowing assessment? A swallowing assessment is an evaluation completed by a Speech Pathologist to understand how safely and effectively a person manages food, drinks and swallowing. The assessment helps identify difficulties and provides recommendations to support safer mealtimes.
What is dysphagia? Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It can affect how safely and effectively a person manages food, drinks or medication and may occur in children or adults for a range of medical, neurological or developmental reasons.
Who needs a swallowing assessment? A swallowing assessment may be recommended when a person coughs or chokes during meals, has difficulty chewing, takes a long time to eat, avoids certain foods or experiences other concerns with eating and drinking.
Where are swallowing assessments provided? Innerlink Therapy provides services from our clinic in Belmore, Sydney, with other service options such as in the home, aged care centres and supported independent living (SIL).
What languages can you assess in? Our clinicians can assess in English, Arabic, Greek and Tagalog.
What should an aged care home prepare before a swallowing assessment visit? Please complete our online referral form through the Contact Us page. Select “Registered nurse”, then “Speech Pathology Swallowing Assessment and Mealtime Plan”. Include relevant background information, current mealtime recommendations and available hospital or swallowing assessment reports, and confirm acceptance of the quoted fee.
For the visit, arrange for a staff member familiar with the resident’s needs to be available, and have any food and drinks requested by our team ready. Please notify Innerlink Therapy of changes to the resident’s health or swallowing before the appointment.