Swallowing Awareness Day 2026

Swallowing is essential for everyday life. On average you’ll swallow 500-700 times per day! 

That’s around 3 times an hour when you’re asleep, once per minute when you’re awake and more during mealtimes. For most of us though, we don’t even think twice about the mechanisms that go into how we eat and drink every single day. But for people with swallowing difficulty, also known as dysphagia, sucking, swallowing, chewing, eating, drinking, controlling saliva, or taking medication can cause a problem and when swallowing doesn’t work properly, food, drink and saliva can enter the lungs and cause chest infections like pneumonia.

Over 1 million Australians live with dysphagia and it’s a daily challenge that can affect independence, nutrition, social connection, and overall wellbeing. To shine a light on what living with swallowing difficulties really looks like, and the vital role speech pathologists play in supporting people through it, we sat down with our Speech Pathologist Jade Champion to learn more about dysphagia and how she helps our customers navigate it with confidence

🌍 Swallowing Awareness Day

What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about swallowing difficulties?

A lot of people think swallowing problems are just a normal part of getting older, but they’re usually a sign that something else is going on and should be checked out.

Another big one is that people don’t realise speech pathologists work with swallowing. It’s not obvious from our title, but it’s a huge part of what we do.

How common are swallowing disorders, and who is most affected?

They’re most common in older adults, around 15–30% of people living in the community and up to 50% of people in aged care have dysphagia. We also see dysphagia in children and adults with neurological conditions like cerebral palsy or stroke, or in people with reduced cognition or behaviours that make eating less safe, such as impulsive eating or reduced chewing.

🧠 A day in the life of a speech pathologist

What does a speech pathologist actually do when assessing someone’s swallowing?

I always start with a really thorough case history so I can understand the person’s diet, health, environment, and daily routines.

Then I complete an oral motor exam, which looks at the muscles and sensations involved in swallowing, this is where we often pull some funny faces together!

After that, I watch the person eat and drink so I can look for any signs of aspiration.

Once I’ve gathered all that information, I make recommendations. Sometimes I’ll refer for a videofluoroscopy, which is an X‑ray that lets us see exactly what’s happening inside the throat during a swallow.

What are some early signs of swallowing difficulties that people often overlook?

• People usually expect coughing or choking, but that doesn’t always happen. Silent aspiration can occur when food or drink enters the airway without any obvious signs.
• Things like repeated chest infections, weight loss, shortness of breath, or a wet‑sounding voice after meals can all be clues.
• Oral health, posture, and even distractions in the environment can also have a big impact on swallowing safety.

How do you tailor treatment for different patients?

Every person is different, so my recommendations are too. Some people might need modified food or drinks, while others benefit more from environmental changes like reducing noise or using adaptive cutlery.

I often encourage people to slow down, sit upright, and minimise distractions. Treatment also depends on whether the condition is stable or progressive. For example, someone with Parkinson’s or MND may notice changes over time, while someone recovering from a stroke will usually improve.

In more severe cases, a PEG might be needed to make sure the person is getting enough nutrition safely. Regular reviews help us keep everything up to date.

What does a typical day look like for you when working with swallowing clients?

I usually start by reading through the person’s medical background so I know what to expect. Then I meet with them and their support person to complete the assessment.

If dysphagia is present, I put together a Mealtime Management Plan and provide education and training so everyone supporting the person feels confident and informed.

What’s one part of your job that people would be surprised to learn about?

Most people don’t realise just how complex swallowing is. The epiglottis, for example, is a tiny structure that flips over to protect our airway and we barely even notice it’s there. It’s pretty amazing!

❤️ The impact of working in swallowing and dysphagia care

What motivates you to work in swallowing and dysphagia care?

I really enjoy the investigative side of dysphagia work, it’s like putting together a puzzle. I also love working closely with other team members like OTs, physios, dietitians, and PBS practitioners. It’s a very collaborative space.

Can you share a moment that shows the impact this work can have?

It’s often the small changes that make the biggest difference. I once recommended a lipped plate for a customer, and it meant she could keep feeding herself independently. 

For another person, simply switching to a straw made drinking so much easier because lifting a cup was difficult. Teaching someone not to tilt their head back when drinking allowed them to safely enjoy thin fluids again, something they’d been really anxious about.

How does improving someone’s swallowing ability change their quality of life?

Dysphagia can bring a lot of anxiety and frustration. When we make even small adjustments that help someone feel safer and more confident, it can bring back the joy and connection that mealtimes are meant to have.

What do you find most rewarding and most challenging?

• Rewarding: Seeing someone enjoy their meals again without stress is incredibly fulfilling. Food is tied to culture, family, and memories, so helping someone maintain that is really special.
• Challenging: It can be tough when someone is grieving the loss of foods they love or when they don’t want to follow recommendations. That’s why thorough assessment is so important, we only make changes when they’re truly necessary.

🔬Innovation and future direction for dysphagia

Are there any new technologies you’re excited about?

• sEMG with virtual reality is really exciting! It lets people see their swallowing muscles working in real time.
• 5-D food printing is another great development, creating more appealing and nutritious options for people on modified diets.

What do you think the future of swallowing care looks like?

I think technology will continue to transform the way we support people with dysphagia. With real‑time feedback and more advanced tools, we’ll be able to focus more on rehabilitation rather than relying mainly on compensatory strategies.

📣 Raising awareness

What’s one thing you wish everyone understood about swallowing disorders?

• Dysphagia is usually a symptom of another condition, not a diagnosis on its own. And modifying someone’s diet isn’t the only solution, small changes to the environment or mealtime routine can make a huge difference.

How can families, carers, or the community better support people with dysphagia?

Families and carers play a huge role by helping create calm, safe mealtime environments and preparing food to the recommended consistency and more awareness in the community would help reduce stigma.

I’d love to see more dysphagia‑friendly restaurants so that people can continue to live their life to the fullest, whilst surrounded by the people they love, because that’s what food is all about!