A bite-sized guide to Speech and Language Therapy: feeding and swallowing
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A bite-sized guide to Speech and Language Therapy: feeding and swallowing

What is a Speech and Language – Feeding Therapist?

You’ve probably heard of speech therapists helping people who stutter or struggle to pronounce words. But did you know that they also work with children and adults who have problems with eating and swallowing? This specialised area is called Speech and Language Therapy: Feeding and Swallowing, or Dysphagia Therapy.

Why does a Speech Therapist help with eating and swallowing?

The mouth, tongue, and throat are all involved in both speech and swallowing. When there’s a problem with any of these parts, it can affect both your ability to talk and to eat. For example:

  • Weak tongue muscles: Can make it hard to chew food and to form sounds.
  • Difficulty coordinating swallowing: Can lead to choking or aspiration (when food or liquid goes into the lungs).
  • Sensory issues: Can make certain textures or tastes feel unpleasant or overwhelming.
  • Communication: If we are not able to express ourselves we are likely to have difficulties during daily mealtimes: how do we ask for ‘more’ of something, how do we say we have had enough or we don’t like a particular food?

How does a Speech and Language Therapist help?

Our work involves a combination of assessment and therapy. We carefully observe how your child feeds, eats and swallows, and we look into your child’s mouth to help us see what the cause of the difficulties are: could be a very highly-arched palate, it could be a very flaccid/low tone tongue, it could be poor dentition. Then, we create a personalised treatment plan to address your specific needs.

Here are some of the things we might do:

  • Teach swallowing techniques: We can help your child learn strategies to improve or facilitate a safe swallow.
  • Recommend dietary modifications: We may suggest changes to your child’s diet to make it easier to eat and swallow.
  • Provide sensory therapy: If your child has sensory needs we can help your child become more comfortable with different textures, tastes, and smells.
  • Work on oral motor skills: We can help to encourage more effective chewing, or drinking skills, or we can help your child to close his/her mouth more during chewing or drinking from a straw.
  • Collaborate with other professionals: We often work closely with doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, and dietitians to provide comprehensive care.

What kinds of problems do Speech and Language Therapists help with?

We see a wide range of feeding and swallowing difficulties, including:

  • Delayed feeding: Children who are slow to develop feeding skills or who have difficulty transitioning to solid foods.
  • Tongue-ties: Babies can have significant difficulties with feeding when the tongue is very tightly tethered to the floor of the mouth.
  • Refusal to eat: Children who refuse to eat certain foods or textures.
  • Aspiration: When food or liquid goes into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications.
  • Chewing difficulties: Problems with chewing food, such as difficulty breaking down food or keeping food in the mouth.
  • Swallowing difficulties: Problems with swallowing, such as feeling like food is stuck or choking.
  • Neurological conditions: Conditions like cerebral palsy, down syndrome or other genetic syndromes can affect feeding and swallowing.
  • Developmental delays: Children with developmental delays may have difficulties with feeding and swallowing.

Is there hope?

If your child is struggling with feeding or swallowing, know that there is help available. Speech and Language Therapy can make a significant difference in your and your child’s quality of life. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Remember, you don’t have to suffer in silence. If you’re concerned about your child feeding or swallowing, please reach out. You can find a Speech and Language Therapist with a Feeding/dysphagia qualification near you via www.asltip.co.uk or contact me.

Sonja McGeachie

Early Intervention Speech and Language Therapist

Feeding and Dysphagia (Swallowing) Specialist The London Speech and Feeding Practice

The London Speech and Feeding Practice


Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.

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