Alongside communication needs, I also support individuals with eating, drinking and swallowing (EDS) difficulties, including dysphagia, where there may be an increased risk of aspiration (food or fluid entering the lungs), choking, or difficulties managing a wide range of everyday foods.
My role includes clinical assessment, contribution to differential diagnosis and liaison with medical investigations, as well as providing intervention using evidence-based approaches. This may involve environmental adaptations, mealtime partner training, conservative management strategies, and recommendations regarding diet and fluid consistency in line with the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework.
I also work with individuals who require non-oral feeding routes (e.g. gastrostomy feeding) to support the safe and gradual introduction or monitoring of oral intake where appropriate, guided by medical advice and aligned with client and family goals.
Management of EDS and dysphagia is delivered through close multidisciplinary collaboration, ensuring coordinated care across relevant settings. This includes liaison with early years and education services, nursing teams, allied health professionals (such as dietitians and occupational therapists), and medical colleagues. Where indicated, I facilitate referrals for further specialist assessment, including instrumental swallowing assessments such as Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS).