On March 19th, we observe Swallowing Awareness Day — a day dedicated to highlighting the crucial role of swallowing in our daily lives. Just like breathing swallowing is essential to everyday life.
Did you know people swallow an estimated 500–700 times a day? This includes around three times an hour even while we sleep! Around one million Australians have a swallowing difficulty (also known as dysphagia).
Transforming Lives Through Speech Pathology and Dysphagia Support
Across my career as a Speech Pathologist dysphagia has been my area of clinical interest. It has fascinated me; the presentations, the causes, the complications, the problem solving, the instrumental assessments. The majority of my clinical life has been working in acute hospitals across Australia assessing and supporting people to eat and drink safely.
While I often get strange looks when I explain what I do, I absolutely love it. The joy of supporting a person to have their first sip of cold water after extended time in intensive care cannot be matched. The reward of being there when someone manages to eat that first spoon of congee their family has bought from home after extensive surgery to the head and neck can keep me on cloud 9 for days.
The deep gratitude in helping to develop a persons eating and drinking with acknowledge risk plan is incredibly humbling. As is supporting someone to manage their favourite foods at the end of their life.
Reflections on Dysphagia in Speech Pathology
Eating, drinking and swallowing saliva is not only a necessity to survival but it is also one of life’s greatest pleasures. Sharing a cup of coffee with a friend, a birthday meal with family, a square of chocolate hidden in the pantry, in the dark, away from your kids is not only delicious but it is a way we celebrate, connect, or disconnect.
On this Swallowing Awareness Day, I reflect on the evolution of my clinical skills in dysphagia management, particularly how my transition from the acute hospital setting to the NDIS has reshaped my understanding and approach.
Recently I revamped a presentation I gave 4 years ago when I started at ORS. It was a dysphagia presentation focused on the anatomy and physiology of swallowing. Absolutely relevant! But I cringed looking at the use of medical terminology, the impairment focus and the absence of consideration of the mealtime.
Integrating Dysphagia Care and Mealtime Support in Speech Pathology
When working in an acute setting establishing a person’s oral intake and safety is a high priority and essential for someone to become medically stable and get home safely.
In the NDIS I have learnt so much about mealtimes, choices, behaviours around mealtimes, working with my colleagues to support a person wholistically to have a positive mealtime experience. I’ve learnt that dysphagia in the NDIS is subtle but prevalent. That the anatomy and physiology of swallowing cannot be divorced from mealtime preferences, behaviours and communication.
When I re-do that presentation, I will include a heavy focus on not only diagnosing dysphagia but the impact of mealtime behaviours, positive mealtime supports, the flexibility required to make IDDSI recommendations (no one can fit in those boxes!)
An early client I worked with when I started in the NDIS had a mild dysphagia that we could easily support safely with some slight modifications and strategies. Their dysphagia presentation was quite straight forward; however, their mealtime presentation was incredibly complex.
What I learnt from observing an entire mealtime in a persons home, from the Dietitian and Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner about hyperphagia and supporting food seeking behaviours and from the OT about oral sensory processing gave me a whole new perspective of the broader mealtime presentation. There are so many subtleties and considerations when supporting someone with dysphagia and collaborating with them to create their mealtime management plan in the NDIS.
Advancing Dysphagia Support Through Speech Pathology and the NDIS
Dysphagia continues to be my clinical area of interest and passion. Transitioning to the NDIS has broadened my learning and skills in dysphagia support in a way I was not expecting but am grateful for.
On this Swallowing Awareness Day I continue to commit to including each person in the recommendations to support their swallowing and the creation of their mealtime management plan. I hope to continue to educate the community on the complexities surrounding swallowing and mealtimes and support people living with dysphagia to have safe and enjoyable mealtimes.
Are you are trouble with communication, swallowing, or mealtime experiences? At ORS, our expert Speech Pathologists are here to support you every step of the way. From personalised care plans to compassionate, evidence-based therapy, we’re dedicated to helping you or your loved ones achieve meaningful progress and enjoy life to its fullest. Call us today at 1800 000 677 to speak with our friendly team. Wanting to learn more about ORS’ Speech Pathology services? Click here to learn more about ORS Speech Pathology services.
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