What Happens During an Adult Swallowing Assessment? A Step-By-Step Guide
If you’ve been referred for a swallowing assessment — or you’re booking one for your parent or partner — you may be wondering what the appointment actually involves. The good news? It’s simple, safe, and gentle, and many clients say it’s more comfortable than they expected.
Here’s what to expect during your session at our Blackburn clinic.
1. A conversation about your swallowing history
We start by asking questions like:
- When did the swallowing trouble begin?
- What foods or drinks are most difficult?
- Does coughing happen every time or only sometimes?
- Are mornings or evenings harder?
- Has there been a stroke, surgery, or recent illness?
Understanding this history helps us tailor the assessment to your needs.
2. Testing different textures for swallowing
We observe how you manage a range of safely prepared samples:
- Thin liquids (water)
- Thickened liquids (nectar-like)
- Puree (yoghurt/applesauce)
- Soft solids (banana or soft biscuit)
You take small, comfortable amounts, and only what you’re able to manage. We always make sure you’re seated properly and supported.
While you swallow, we look for signs like:
- Coughing or throat clearing
- A “wet” or gurgly voice
- Needing multiple swallows
- Food remaining in the mouth
- Difficulty coordinating a swallow
We may gently feel your throat or check tongue/lip movement — nothing invasive or uncomfortable.
3. Assessing muscle strength & safety for swallowing
Depending on what we observe, we might screen:
- Tongue strength
- Lip seal
- Cough strength
- Laryngeal movement (“Adam’s apple lift”)
These help us understand your underlying swallowing mechanics.
4. Immediate feedback & recommendations
After the assessment, we explain:
- Which textures are safest
- Which foods may require modification
- Whether strategies (chin tuck, double swallow, alternate solids/liquids) were helpful
- Whether further imaging (VFSS or FEES) is needed
You’ll leave with clear guidance tailored to your daily eating habits.
5. When further testing is needed
If we need more detail, we may refer you for:
- Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) – an X-ray of the swallow
- FEES – a fibreoptic camera view completed in hospitals
For many people, though, our clinical assessment provides enough information to begin therapy right away.
For more information, visit our swallowing and feeding service page
Serving adults from Blackburn, Box Hill, Doncaster, Glen Waverley & beyond
Book your swallowing assessment at our Bilingual Rehab service website: www.bilingualrehab.com.au