Understanding Dysphagia
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty or inability to swallow. It can affect eating, drinking, and swallowing on a daily basis, and occurs in people of all ages. Those with disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system are more likely to experience dysphagia.
If you have dysphagia, you may require:
Low-cost assistive technology – e.g., adaptive cutlery, plate guards, sticky mats.
Thickener products – to help make food and fluids safer to swallow.
Food preparation assistance – ensuring meals are the right texture.
Support worker assistance – to help you eat or drink safely if you cannot do so independently.
NDIS dysphagia supports may also include a speech pathologist to create a mealtime management plan and train your carers, support workers, or family members.
📖 Learn more: NDIS Disability-Related Health Supports
Dysphagia and the Health System
The Australian health system offers dysphagia support to everyone, not just people with disabilities. These mainstream and community supports include:
Diagnostic tests and treatments.
Hospital-based swallowing therapy.
Medicare-funded short-term access to a speech pathologist.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) may also cover some nutritional drinks and supplements for dysphagia.
📖 Learn more:
NDIS-Funded Dysphagia Supports
The NDIS can only fund supports that meet its reasonable and necessary criteria and are directly related to your disability. Funded supports may include:
Speech pathologist services – mealtime management plans, swallowing therapy, training for carers.
Low-cost assistive technology – to help you eat and drink independently.
Thickener products – to make food and drink safer to swallow.
Training for support workers – to provide safe mealtime assistance.
Supports not funded by the NDIS include:
Dysphagia from short-term illness or surgery.
School-supervised eating support.
Hospital-based dysphagia supports (funded by the health system).
Mealtime Management Plans
A mealtime management plan describes:
Safe food textures and drink thickness.
Positioning and techniques for safer eating.
Specific strategies to reduce aspiration or choking.
Your speech pathologist should assess you where you usually eat (e.g., home, school, day program) and recommend review intervals based on your needs.
If nutrition risks are identified, a dietitian may also contribute to your plan.
📖 Learn more: NDIS Nutrition Supports
Swallowing Therapy
Your speech pathologist may recommend swallowing therapy to:
Strengthen swallowing muscles.
Improve chewing and swallowing coordination.
Support transitions from tube feeding to oral feeding.
Therapy recommendations will be included in your mealtime management plan.
Low-Cost Assistive Technology
Low-cost items for dysphagia include:
Adaptive cutlery and crockery.
Plate guards and sticky mats.
Special drinking cups or straws.
These must meet the NDIS funding criteria to be included in your plan.
Thickener Products
Thickeners make food and fluids easier and safer to swallow. A speech pathologist will assess:
The right thickness level for you (slightly, mildly, moderately, or extremely thick).
The correct product quantity for your needs.
Getting Dysphagia Supports in Your Plan
To include dysphagia supports in your NDIS plan:
Gather evidence – mealtime management plans, assessments, or reports from your speech pathologist.
Work with your NDIS contact – support coordinator, LAC, or recovery coach.
Submit your request – include all necessary supporting documents.
If Your Request Is Declined
If the NDIS rejects your dysphagia support request:
You’ll receive written reasons.
You can request an internal review within 3 months.
📖 Learn more: NDIS Reviewing Decisions
Complete Money Management Can Help
At Complete Money Management, we help NDIS participants:
Prepare strong funding applications.
Manage NDIS budgets for essential supports.
Coordinate services between the NDIS, health system, and community supports.
💬 Contact us today to get the right dysphagia supports included in your plan.