Mealtime Management & Swallowing Assessments
Safer mealtimes,
with practical support.
Practical swallowing assessment, mealtime planning, training and recommendations for children, adults and older Australians experiencing swallowing difficulties
Support built around the person
Understanding swallowing and mealtime needs.
Swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia, can affect people of any age. They may change how safely or comfortably a person eats, drinks, takes medication or participates in mealtimes.
Our clinicians assess the person's individual needs and work with their support network to develop practical strategies for everyday settings.
A review may be helpful when someone:
Coughs, chokes or becomes distressed while eating or drinking
Needs modified food or fluid textures
Has changes in eating, drinking, swallowing or mealtime behaviour
Needs a new or updated Mealtime Management Plan
Has changes in health, medication, support needs or daily routine
Who this service is for
Support across different ages and needs.
This service may suit NDIS participants and private clients with diagnosed or suspected swallowing concerns, including people with complex health and support needs.
Children
Support for feeding, drinking and swallowing concerns that affect safety, comfort, participation or daily routines.
Adults
Assessment and practical recommendations for people whose disability, health or support needs affect mealtimes.
Older Australians
Support where ageing, illness or changes in function have affected eating, drinking or swallowing.
What we provide
Clear assessment, planning and practical support.
Each service is tailored to the participant's needs. Recommendations are designed to be understood and used by the people supporting them day to day.
-
A detailed review of eating, drinking and swallowing to identify risks, strengths and areas requiring support.
-
A clear plan outlining safe positioning, food and fluid textures, pacing, equipment, supervision and mealtime strategies.
-
Practical education for families, carers and support workers so strategies are understood and followed consistently.
-
Professional documentation bringing together assessment findings, risks, recommendations and required supports.
-
Where clinically appropriate, the service may include video guidance and follow-up reviews to support implementation and respond to changes.
$2,000
Essential Support
10-hour package
Clinical assessment and report
Individual Mealtime Management Plan
Individual Mealtime Management Plan
$2,000
Comprehensive Support
18-hour package
Detailed clinical report
Training for the participant's family, carers or support team
Tailored recommendations
Summary of the participant's mealtime needs
Practical video resource
Two follow-up reviews
Recommended
**Package suitability and the final scope of support are confirmed after the referral and clinical intake review.
Why Allied Health Service Providers
Hope, professionalism and practical support.
We stay alongside participants and their support networks, combining hope with practical, evidence-based therapy and clear communication.
Three-week turnaround
Mobile support across Western Sydney
Collaborative, person-centred approach
Experience with complex cases
Clear, practical recommendations
Collaborative, person-centred approach
What happens next…
A straightforward referral process.
Step 01
Submit the referral
Share the participant's details, current concerns and preferred package.
Step 03
Assessment
The clinician completes the assessment and gathers information from the participant and support network.
Step 02
We review the needs
Our intake team reviews the information and contacts the relevant person to discuss next steps.
Step 04
Plan and support
We provide the agreed plan, report, training, recommendations and follow-up support.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Option 1 provides the core report, training and Mealtime Management Plan within a 10-hour package. Option 2 provides 18 hours of more comprehensive support, including recommendations, a summary of mealtime needs, a video resource and two reviews. The intake team can help confirm the appropriate option.
-
A Support Coordinator, family member, carer, health professional or the participant can submit the referral form.
-
No. A referral may be appropriate where swallowing difficulties are suspected or where changes have been noticed during meals.
-
Plans are commonly reviewed yearly, or sooner when there are changes in health, swallowing, food or fluid needs, medication, supports or daily routine.
-
Yes. AHSP works collaboratively across complex cases and considers the participant's broader health, communication, functional and support needs.
-
AHSP aims for a three-week turnaround, subject to clinician availability, access to required information and the complexity of the assessment.
Get in touch.
For more information on how we can provide NDIS support, fill in your details on the referral form on our booking page.