NDIS Category: 0104 High-Intensity Support

RN-Led Dysphagia Support for NDIS Participants
Safe Mealtime Management

Helping participants eat and drink safely with RN-led support. We provide mealtime assistance, safe swallowing cues, texture-modified food support, monitoring for choking, and comprehensive RN oversight.

Key Features

  • RN-Conducted Assessments
    Clinical swallowing assessments by qualified RNs
  • IDDSI Texture Modification
    International framework compliance
  • Emergency Action Plans
    Choking and aspiration protocols
  • SIL Staff Training
    Competency assessments and certification

What is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) affects many NDIS participants, particularly those with neurological conditions. It can make eating and drinking risky without proper support and management.

Why RN-Led Mealtime Support Matters

The Risks of Unmanaged Dysphagia

Without proper support, participants may experience aspiration (food/liquid entering the lungs), which can lead to pneumonia, malnutrition, or life-threatening complications.

  • Aspiration risk — food or liquid entering the airways
  • Choking incidents — life-threatening airway obstruction
  • Malnutrition — inadequate nutrition and dehydration
  • Respiratory issues — pneumonia and lung complications

How We Prevent These Risks

Our RN-led approach includes consistent mealtime protocols, regular positioning & texture review, and family/support worker training—so everyone knows exactly what to do to keep your participant safe.

  • Consistent mealtime protocols developed by RNs
  • Regular positioning and texture review
  • Family and support worker training
  • Emergency action plans ready for use

Our Safe Mealtime Approach

How we support safe mealtimes for NDIS participants with dysphagia

1

Clinical Review

RN reviews existing reports, medical history, and current protocols

2

Mealtime Observation

Direct observation of practices, positioning, and textures

3

Protocol Development

Individualised mealtime management plans

4

Staff Training

Hands-on training with competency sign-off

5

Ongoing Monitoring

Regular RN reviews and protocol updates

Texture-Modified Protocols (IDDSI-Compliant)

We follow the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework—the global standard for describing food textures and drink thickness.

What is IDDSI?

IDDSI provides a standardized way to describe food textures (levels 3-7) and drink thickness (levels 0-4). This ensures everyone—families, support workers, and healthcare teams—uses the same terminology for safe, consistent mealtime support.

3Liquidised / Moderately Thick
4Puréed / Extremely Thick
5Minced & Moist
6Soft & Bite-Sized
7Regular / Easy to Chew

Our Protocols Ensure

  • All staff understand texture requirements
  • Non-compliant foods are identified
  • Food preparation follows IDDSI testing methods
  • Documentation meets audit requirements

Conditions We Support

Our dysphagia support is designed for participants with various neurological conditions

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
Parkinson's Disease
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Stroke-related difficulties
Huntington's Disease
Other neurological conditions

Funding Your Dysphagia Support

NDIS Funding Information

Severe dysphagia support may be funded under the following registration groups:

0104
High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
0117
Development of Daily Living and Life Skills

Note:Funding availability depends on individual NDIS plans. We recommend discussing with your Support Coordinator.

Related Services

Many participants benefit from both dysphagia support and combined dysphagia & bowel care. Learn how unified RN governance improves outcomes.

Also relevant: Community nursing carefor GP coordination and health monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between speech therapy and your support?

We provide RN-supervised mealtime support and care protocols, not therapy. Speech therapists assess swallowing mechanics; we ensure safe daily eating routines with family training.

Will my participant need to change their favorite foods?

We work with food preferences first, then adapt textures as needed. Your participant's enjoyment matters—we don' t remove foods unless clinically necessary.

How often will my participant need support?

It varies by individual condition. Your RN will work with you to create a safe, sustainable schedule tailored to your participant's needs.

Ready to Arrange Dysphagia Support?

Our RN team is available to conduct comprehensive dysphagia assessments within 48 hours for new referrals.