Mealtime Management Plan Development
Swallowing Assessment
Clinical Recommendations
Clinical Recommendations
First, a comprehensive clinical swallowing assessment will be conducted by our qualified Speech Pathologist.
This will include obtaining a detailed case history and understanding of your presenting dysphagia/mealtime needs, as well as observing you eat and drink, preferably at a mealtime.
Clinical Recommendations
Clinical Recommendations
Clinical Recommendations
After the swallowing assessment, our Speech Pathologist will provide recommendations to support your safety and enjoyment at meals. These recommendations may include the following:
- Modified food and drink consistencies - as per the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) Framework
- Specialised mealtime equipment
- Supervision and assistance
- Positioning or seating requirements
- Environmental modifications
- Safe swallowing strategies
- Oral care
Modified Food and Drinks
Mealtime Management Plans will always include a diet and fluid recommendation in line with the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI).
The IDDSI Framework provides an international reference for the preparation and serving requirements of modified food and drinks to support people with swallowing difficulty.
During a swallowing assessment, your Speech Pathologist may ask you to trial different consistencies of food and drink.
Our Mealtime Management Plans include easy to follow instructions for testing food and fluid consistencies/size to comply with IDDSI standards.
Mealtime Management Training for Support Workers
At Mealtime Matters, our Speech Pathologists offer individualised mealtime training to NDIS participants and their supports in Melbourne.
Mealtime training provides a hands-on opportunity for support workers and carers to ask the Speech Pathologist questions around mealtime safety, observe optimal positioning requirements, learn safe feeding techniques and ensure food and drink preparation complies with IDDSI standards.