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 support for adults 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 experiencing sensory‑based feeding challenges, mealtime anxiety, participation difficulties and eating‑related behavioural responses.

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
Adult touching the front of their throat, representing swallowing changes and dysphagia concerns.

Feeding & Mealtime Participation

Sensory‑based feeding challenges
Mealtime anxiety or avoidance
Difficulty managing textures
Oral‑motor feeding concerns
Eating‑related behavioural responses
Support for eating in home, community or supported environments
Adults sharing a meal together in a café, representing social eating and mealtime participation.

Who we support

We support adults with feeding, swallowing and mealtime participation needs, including people living with:

Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
Neurological conditions affecting feeding or swallowing
Head and neck conditions impacting eating or drinking
Sensory‑based feeding difficulties
Highly selective or restrictive eating patterns
Mealtime stress or reduced confidence
Autism
Intellectual disability

We support adults who live in home care, community settings, supported independent living (SIL), day programs and aged‑care environments.

Adult eating a meal at a kitchen table, representing independent eating and everyday mealtime participation.

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.

Adults sharing food at an outdoor table, representing social eating and mealtime participation.

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
Adult eating breakfast at a kitchen table, representing independent eating and everyday mealtime participation.

What to expect

Teal icon of documents with a magnifying glass representing assessment and review.

Comprehensive swallowing assessment

A detailed assessment exploring swallowing safety, oral‑motor function, mealtime behaviours and medical history.

Teal icon showing a clipboard with a checklist and pencil, representing Thrive’s individualised feeding plans.

Dysphagia management plan

Clear recommendations for textures, pacing, positioning and mealtime safety.

Simple plate with knife and fork icon representing adult feeding and mealtime participation.

Feeding & mealtime support

Strategies for sensory needs, participation, independence and confidence.

Hand cupping a cog with a tick, representing support worker training and skill development.

Carer & support‑worker training

Practical training to support safe, consistent mealtime care across environments.

Icon representing multidisciplinary feeding and swallowing care at Thrive Feeding Clinic

Multidisciplinary input

OT, Psychology and Behaviour Support involvement when sensory, emotional or behavioural factors are contributing.

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.

Telehealth Options
Image representing telehealth support for adults, including strategy sessions and carer training.

Ready to book an adult feeding or swallowing assessment?

We provide safe, evidence‑based support for adults across Newcastle and the Hunter Region.

Book an assessment

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.

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