Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, significantly impacts individuals’ quality of life. It can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia due to food or liquid entering the lungs. Socially, people with dysphagia might avoid communal meals or public eating, leading to isolation. The condition can also bring emotional distress, as eating and drinking become sources of anxiety and fear.
Challenges and Risks of Dysphagia:

• Eating and drinking complications
• Potential for aspiration
• Issues managing saliva
• Management of tracheostomies & ventilated patients
• Increased choking hazards
• Behavioural concerns related to swallowing
• Feeding difficulties

At Unlocking Language, we take a hands-on approach to addressing dysphagia and its accompanying challenges. Starting with a thorough assessment, our team pinpoints the specific swallowing difficulties an individual faces. Drawing from this analysis, we craft a customized intervention plan, incorporating exercises to fortify oral muscles, techniques to promote safer swallowing, and guidance on diet modifications, such as tailoring food textures or fluid consistencies. Our commitment is not just to manage dysphagia, but to significantly enhance the day-to-day life of our clients, ensuring they eat and drink with greater ease and confidence.

• Swallow Rehabilitation: Tailored exercises for strengthening oral and pharyngeal muscles, aiding clients from severe swallowing challenges to minor muscle discrepancies.
• Dietary Adjustments: Enhancing swallow safety by altering food and liquid consistencies to mitigate aspiration risks.
• Tracheostomy Management: Collaborative initiatives with ENT specialists for tracheostomy size reduction or removal, ultimately restoring speech and swallow functionality.
• Videofluoroscopy: Dynamic imaging to provide insights into the swallowing process, pinpointing areas for enhanced safety and comfort.
• FEES (Fibre Endoscopic Evaluation Swallowing): In-depth endoscopic study of swallowing, evaluating related anatomy and techniques for optimised safety and efficiency.
• Oral Sensitivity Reduction: Specifically for those struggling with heightened oral sensitivity, our programme employs a variety of methods, including the Facial Oral Tract Technique, to decrease sensitivity and improve swallowing.