Feeding & Swallowing Support for Adults
Feeding & swallowing support for adults with dysphagia, disability‑related feeding needs & mealtime challenges in Newcastle & the Hunter Region
Feeding and swallowing difficulties in adulthood can affect safety, nutrition, independence and quality of life. THRIVE provides specialist feeding and swallowing assessment and therapy for adults, supporting individuals across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Region.
Our Speech Pathologists specialise in dysphagia assessment, mealtime safety, oral‑motor function and practical recommendations for adults with neurological conditions, disability, progressive conditions and unexplained swallowing changes. Our multidisciplinary team also supports adults with sensory‑based feeding challenges, mealtime anxiety, behavioural feeding needs and participation difficulties.
What we support
Swallowing (Dysphagia)
- Coughing or choking during meals
- Difficulty swallowing food, fluids or medications
- Recurrent chest infections
- Wet or gurgly voice after eating or drinking
- Food getting stuck or frequent throat clearing
- Weight loss related to swallowing difficulties
- Disability‑related swallowing concerns
- Dysphagia associated with neurological conditions
Feeding & Mealtime Participation
- Sensory‑based feeding challenges
- Mealtime anxiety or avoidance
- Difficulty managing textures
- Oral‑motor feeding concerns
- Behavioural feeding challenges
- Support for eating in community or supported environments
Who we support
- Adults with disability
- Adults with swallowing difficulties
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Dementia
- Cerebral Palsy
- Intellectual Disability
- Autism
- Progressive neurological conditions
- Head and neck conditions
We support adults across home care, community settings, supported independent living, day programs, and aged‑care environments.
Our approach
Adult feeding and swallowing support at THRIVE is Speech‑Pathology‑led, with Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Behaviour Support involved when sensory, emotional or behavioural factors are contributing.
We explore:
- swallowing safety
- oral‑motor skills
- mealtime routines and support needs
- sensory preferences
- emotional and behavioural responses to food
- environmental and postural supports
- participation in home, community and supported settings
Our goal is to provide practical, evidence‑based recommendations that improve safety, comfort and independence.
What to expect
Signs an adult may benefit from a feeding or swallowing assessment
- Coughing or choking during meals
- Difficulty swallowing food, fluids or medications
- Avoiding certain textures
- Anxiety or distress around eating
- Weight loss or reduced intake
- Recurrent chest infections
- Difficulty chewing
- Sensory sensitivities to food
- Mealtime behaviours impacting safety or participation
- Feeding challenges linked to disability or neurological conditions
Telehealth for adults
Some aspects of feeding therapy — such as strategy sessions and carer training — can be delivered via telehealth. However, swallowing assessments cannot be completed via telehealth for safety reasons and must be done in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — we support adults with a wide range of disabilities and support needs.
Yes — we provide swallowing assessments, mealtime recommendations and staff training.
Yes — we work alongside GPs, specialists and allied health providers.
No. You can contact us directly to arrange an appointment. Referrals from GPs or other health professionals are welcome but not required.
You’ll receive clear information about the findings, along with practical strategies and recommendations tailored to your goals and routines. If further support or collaboration with other health professionals is helpful, we will discuss this with you.
We are based in Newcastle, NSW, and support families across the Hunter region and Central Coast, including Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and Port Stephens.
Yes — we support self‑managed, plan‑managed and NDIA‑managed participants.
Yes, we are able to take bookings for Flexible Endoscopic Assessments (FEA) from August.