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
Understanding swallowing and mealtime needs.
Support built around the person
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
Support across different ages and needs.
Who this service is for
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.
Ageing Support
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.
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A detailed review of eating, drinking and swallowing to identify risks, strengths and areas requiring support.
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A clear plan outlining safe positioning, food and fluid textures, pacing, equipment, supervision and mealtime strategies.
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Practical education for families, carers and support workers so strategies are understood and followed consistently.
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Professional documentation bringing together assessment findings, risks, recommendations and required supports.
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Where clinically appropriate, the service may include video guidance and follow-up reviews to support implementation and respond to changes.
Essential Support
Clinical assessment, swallowing assessment report, formal recommendations
Individualised mealtime management plan including positioning, assistance required, how to prepare meals, communication and behaviours around mealtimes, etc.
Single follow up training with formal or informal supports via teams
10-hour package
$1,939.90
Comprehensive Support
$3,103.84
Clinical assessment, communication and swallowing assessment report, formal recommendations
Comprehensive dietitian review of meals, nutritional intake, portion sizes and meal plan, with personalised recommendations
Individualised mealtime management plan including positioning, assistance required, how to prepare meals, communication and behaviours around mealtimes, etc.
Follow up appointment to confirm recommendations with participant, provide further training, and troubleshoot any possible issues
Multiple formal face to face follow up trainings with formal or informal supports
Video training for all formal and informal supports to refer back to for essential safe and independent mealtime recommendations
18-hour package
***Package suitability and the final scope of support are confirmed after the referral and clinical intake review.***
Hope, professionalism and practical support.
Why Allied Health Service Providers
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
A straightforward referral process.
What happens next…
Step 01
Submit the referral
Share the participant's details, current concerns and preferred package.
Step 02
We review the needs
Our intake team reviews the information and contacts the relevant person to discuss next steps.
Step 03
Assessment
The clinician completes the assessment and gathers information from the participant and support network.
Step 04
Plan and support
We provide the agreed plan, report, training, recommendations and follow-up support.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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A Support Coordinator, family member, carer, health professional or the participant can submit the referral form.
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No. A referral may be appropriate where swallowing difficulties are suspected or where changes have been noticed during meals.
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Plans are commonly reviewed yearly, or sooner when there are changes in health, swallowing, food or fluid needs, medication, supports or daily routine.
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Yes. AHSP works collaboratively across complex cases and considers the participant's broader health, communication, functional and support needs.
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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.