Dialogue on ‘disability dysphagia’ and mealtimes: considering speech pathology ‘work as imagined’ and ‘work as done’ to inform practice improvements
Tracks
60/120-minute presentations
60-minute presentation
Disability
Dysphagia
Mealtime support
NDIS
Professional practice
Swallowing
| Saturday, June 14, 2025 |
| 2:30 PM - 2:40 PM |
| Room L3, Ground Level |
Overview
Sarah Langtry, Professor Bronwyn Hemsley, Diane Symons and Fiona Given
Details
⏫ Fireside chat
⏲️ 2.30pm - 3.30pm
⌛ 60-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Foundational (new/casual familiarity with the topic e.g. treated a single case)
⏲️ 2.30pm - 3.30pm
⌛ 60-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Foundational (new/casual familiarity with the topic e.g. treated a single case)
Presenter
Ms Sarah Langtry
Dialogue on ‘disability dysphagia’ and mealtimes: considering speech pathology ‘work as imagined’ and ‘work as done’ to inform practice improvements
2:30 PM - 3:30 PMPresentation summary
People with disability and dysphagia in residential care in Australia continue to experience high rates of preventable death due aspiration and choking on food . Management in this area of practice is multifaceted, with management decisions being made in the context of complexity in the environment for implementation of recommendations.
This guided discussion, facilitated by an inclusive team with decades of research, clinical experience, and lived experience of disability dysphagia and its management, will enable delegates working with people with disability and dysphagia across the age range and settings (i.e., home, school, supported accommodation, community) to: (a) reflect upon an overview of clinical guidance and legislation on safe and enjoyable meals; (b) identify the gap between the policies and ‘work as imagined’, and the realities of ‘work as done’ (implemented) in this clinical area of professional practice; and (c) generate new ideas on ways to bridge and close the gap between ‘work as imagined’ and ‘work as done’ across areas of need (e.g., guidance, information management, mentoring, coaching, support) and training in best practice management of clients with disability and dysphagia across the age range and settings. The outcomes of the discussion will be used to guide speech pathologists nationally towards improved clinical pathways specific to disability dysphagia for increased mealtime safety and enjoyment (and prevention of choking deaths) in people with disability.
The presenters will use illustrative case studies, live polling, and audience engagement to bring to light real-world challenges faced by professionals and their clients and potential solutions to improve practice and mealtime safety and enjoyment.
This guided discussion, facilitated by an inclusive team with decades of research, clinical experience, and lived experience of disability dysphagia and its management, will enable delegates working with people with disability and dysphagia across the age range and settings (i.e., home, school, supported accommodation, community) to: (a) reflect upon an overview of clinical guidance and legislation on safe and enjoyable meals; (b) identify the gap between the policies and ‘work as imagined’, and the realities of ‘work as done’ (implemented) in this clinical area of professional practice; and (c) generate new ideas on ways to bridge and close the gap between ‘work as imagined’ and ‘work as done’ across areas of need (e.g., guidance, information management, mentoring, coaching, support) and training in best practice management of clients with disability and dysphagia across the age range and settings. The outcomes of the discussion will be used to guide speech pathologists nationally towards improved clinical pathways specific to disability dysphagia for increased mealtime safety and enjoyment (and prevention of choking deaths) in people with disability.
The presenters will use illustrative case studies, live polling, and audience engagement to bring to light real-world challenges faced by professionals and their clients and potential solutions to improve practice and mealtime safety and enjoyment.
References
Guthrie, S., Baker, J., Cahill, J., & Hemsley, B. (2022). Mealtime difficulties in adults with mental health conditions: an integrative review. Journal of Mental Health, 32(2), 504–516. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2021.2022633
Hemsley, B., Almond, B., Given, F., Darcy, S., L’Espoir Decosta, P., Dann, S., … Balandin, S. (2023). Craving inclusion: a systematic review on the experiences and needs of people with disability eating out. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2295006
Hemsley, B., Steel, J., Sheppard, J.J., Malandraki, G., Bryant, L., & Balandin, S. (2018). Dying for a meal: An integrative review of characteristics of choking incidents and recommendations to prevent fatal and nonfatal choking across populations https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-18-0150
Reddacliff, C., Hemsley, B., et al. (2022) Examining the Content and Outcomes of Training in Dysphagia and Mealtime Management: A Systematic Review Informing Co-Design of New Training. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_AJSLP-21-00231
Shorrock, S. (2016). The varieties of human work. Available at: https://humanisticsystems.com/2016/12/05/the-varieties-of-human-work/
Smith, R., Bryant, L., & Hemsley, B. (2024). I only eat because I have to – to live’: The impact of dysphagia on quality of life from the perspectives of people with dysphagia, supporters of people with dysphagia and allied health professionals. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 59(5), pp. 1966-1980.
Hemsley, B., Almond, B., Given, F., Darcy, S., L’Espoir Decosta, P., Dann, S., … Balandin, S. (2023). Craving inclusion: a systematic review on the experiences and needs of people with disability eating out. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2295006
Hemsley, B., Steel, J., Sheppard, J.J., Malandraki, G., Bryant, L., & Balandin, S. (2018). Dying for a meal: An integrative review of characteristics of choking incidents and recommendations to prevent fatal and nonfatal choking across populations https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-18-0150
Reddacliff, C., Hemsley, B., et al. (2022) Examining the Content and Outcomes of Training in Dysphagia and Mealtime Management: A Systematic Review Informing Co-Design of New Training. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_AJSLP-21-00231
Shorrock, S. (2016). The varieties of human work. Available at: https://humanisticsystems.com/2016/12/05/the-varieties-of-human-work/
Smith, R., Bryant, L., & Hemsley, B. (2024). I only eat because I have to – to live’: The impact of dysphagia on quality of life from the perspectives of people with dysphagia, supporters of people with dysphagia and allied health professionals. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 59(5), pp. 1966-1980.
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Sarah Langtry is a senior speech pathologist with extensive experience in complex mealtime & dysphagia management and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for adults with complex needs and disabilities. She is recognised for her leadership in clinical governance, risk management, and workforce training, and she regularly collaborates across the disability and allied health sectors.
Her work is driven by a commitment to improving the lives of people with complex needs, as well as those who support them. In pursuit of this goal, Sarah established a national focus group on disability mealtimes and dysphagia. The group aims to provide supports to therapists working with individuals with complex mealtime needs and advocates for the standardisation of practice across the sector
Based in Victoria, Sarah is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and registered Medicare provider, dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through practical, person-centred solutions and collaborative leadership.
Ms Fiona Given
Dialogue on ‘Disability Dysphagia’ and Mealtimes: Considering Speech Pathology ‘Work as Imagined’ and ‘Work as Done’ to Inform Practice Improvements
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM**********
Dr Bronwyn Hemsley
Uts
Dialogue on ‘Disability Dysphagia’ and Mealtimes: Considering Speech Pathology ‘Work as Imagined’ and ‘Work as Done’ to Inform Practice Improvements
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM**********
Prof Bronwyn Hemsley is the Head of Speech Pathology at UTS and a Fellow of Speech Pathology Australia.
Ms Diane Symons
Dialogue on ‘Disability Dysphagia’ and Mealtimes: Considering Speech Pathology ‘Work as Imagined’ and ‘Work as Done’ to Inform Practice Improvements
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM**********
Session chair
Belinda Kenny
Western Sydney University
Student volunteer(s)
Nicolaus Hermadi
Flinders University
Peiran Li
The information contained in this program is current at of the time of publishing but is subject to changes made without notice.
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