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  • Home
    • History >
      • Cantabrainers Choir
      • Tribute to Clare O'Hagan
    • Client Information
    • Rights and Responsibilites
    • Careers
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Assessment, Treatment & Consultation
    • Workplace/home safety
    • For organisations
    • Nail Trimming
  • Therapies
    • Physiotherapy
    • Speech-Language Therapy >
      • Communication
      • Swallowing
    • Music Therapy
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Dietetics
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Contact
  • Information
    • Information and Handy Hints
    • Blog
    • Links
    • Facebook
    • Events
    • Newsletters

Speech-Language Therapy
Swallowing

Quick links

  • What is dysphagia (swallowing difficulties)?
  • When to see a Speech-Language Therapist
  • How can our Speech-Language Therapists help?
  • Information to download
  • Related links
  • Professional Registration
 

Dysphagia (dis-fay-juh)

Swallowing difficulties are known as dysphagia. Dysphagia may result from a number of different conditions, diseases and surgical procedures. Dysphagia may lead to malnutrition, dehydration, embarrassment, and increased risk of aspiration which can lead to chest infection (pneumonia).
 

When to see a Speech-Language Therapist


If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following, a Speech-Language Therapist (SLT) may be able to help:
  • coughing during or after eating or drinking

  • wet or gurgly sounding voice during or after eating or drinking

  • extra effort or time to chew/swallow
  • spilling food/liquid from the mouth
  • choking

  • pain when swallowing 
  • avoiding eating certain foods
 

How can our Speech-Language Therapists help?

Positioning - Positioning is important for eating and drinking. SLTs can advise on how to position a person to support their swallowing.
Modified diets - If normal foods and fluids are difficult, a change in diet may make eating and drinking easier. An SLT can work with you to identify which foods/fluids are easiest to manage. We can also provide advice when eating and drinking are no longer safe.
Education - Our SLTs are available to provide education to family and carers of those with swallowing difficulties.
Equipment - We can also advise on specialist cutlery or cups to make eating and drinking easier.

Making Thickened Fluids

 

Related links

What is a videofluoroscopy? American Speech and Hearing Association.
Standards for texture modified foods and fluids
The EATS Clinic
The Pure Food Co
The Rose Centre: Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory
 

Professional Registration

Our Speech-Language Therapists' are registered with the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists' Association (NZSTA).
Conditions affecting Eating and Drinking
  • Stroke (CVA
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Dementia
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Huntington's Disease
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Developmental Delay
  • Chromosomal Disorders
  • Dyspraxia
  • Autism
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Brain/head injuries
  • Recovery from surgery
  • Oral cancer
  • Ageing

Information to download

Eating and Drinking Difficulties Brochure
Quick Links
Physiotherapy
Speech-Language Therapy
Music Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Dietetics
Phone: (03) 377 5280
Email:   [email protected]
Hours:  8:30am-4pm, Monday-Friday
Office: 12 Coronation St, Christchurch 
Postal address: PO Box 7807,
​                             Christchurch 8240
Disclaimer
Therapy Professionals makes every effort to ensure that the information provided on its web pages is accurate and up-to-date. Website content is subject to regular review and no warranty can be provided regarding the accuracy of it. © Therapy Professionals Ltd 2015. All rights reserved.