How we can help?

At Magic Words Therapy, our team of specialist speech and language therapists support individuals with eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties, also known as Dysphagia.

Swallowing is a highly complex process that involves up to 50 muscles working together. When this process is disrupted, it can impact a person’s ability to eat and drink safely. Our therapists provide expert assessment, advice, and tailored support to help individuals eat and drink as safely and effectively as possible.

What causes eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties?

Dysphagia can occur due to various medical conditions, including:

• Stroke

• Neurological and progressive conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease)

• Dementia

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

• Head and Neck Cancer

• Cerebral Palsy

• Chromosomal and Genetic conditions

• Learning Disability

• Sensory processing differences and aversions

If you or someone you support is experiencing difficulties with eating, drinking, or swallowing, our team is here to help. Contact us today to find out more about our specialist dysphagia support.

Understanding the Impact

Dysphagia can significantly affect a person's health, well-being, and quality of life. Difficulties with swallowing may lead to:

• Nutritional deficiencies and weight loss

• Increased risk of lung infections, including aspiration pneumonia

• Psychological stress and anxiety around mealtimes

• Social isolation and reduced enjoyment of food

At Magic Words Therapy, we understand the challenges that eating and drinking difficulties can bring - not just for individuals, but also for their families and carers. That’s why we are committed to providing specialist support, guidance, and practical strategies to help people eat and drink more safely and confidently.

We work with a range of different client groups:

Children | Adults | Complex Needs

Is Your Child Swallowing Safely? Are They a Picky Eater?

At Magic Words Therapy, our Feeding and Dysphagia Specialist Speech and Language Therapists are here to help children safely swallow, enjoy mealtimes, and achieve a balanced, nutritious diet.

Eating and drinking safely are essential not only for nutrition and health but also for the social and developmental benefits of mealtimes. These experiences help children develop interaction skills, language, and important family connections.

Our dedicated and experienced therapists work with children experiencing eating, drinking, or swallowing difficulties, including sensory feeding issues, to help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

For children with sensory-based feeding difficulties, Magic Words Therapy can provide specialist sensory support to help them feel more comfortable and confident with eating and drinking. Sensory challenges can cause children to be over-responsive (hypersensitive) or under-responsive (hyposensitive) to food textures, temperatures, smells, and tastes, making mealtimes stressful.

How We Help Children and Young People With Swallowing and Feeding

Our dysphagia service offers the latest evidence-based treatments, including:

• Targeted exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles

• Postural and behavioural modifications to improve safety and comfort

• Diet and texture modifications following the IDDSI framework

• Specialist support for sensory-based feeding difficulties

We work collaboratively with professionals involved in your child’s care, including:

• Paediatricians and medical staff

• Dietitians

• Occupational Therapists (OTs)

• Physiotherapists (PTs)

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that recommendations are fully integrated into your child's daily routines.

At Magic Words Therapy, we believe in a child-centred approach, working closely with families to align treatment with their goals and make a meaningful difference in their child's life.

How do I Know If a Child or Young Person has Dysphagia or a Sensory Feeding Issue?

Your child may benefit from dysphagia or feeding therapy if they:

• Show signs of or are at risk of aspiration (inhaling food or drink into the lungs)

• Have difficulty managing a variety of foods and textures

• Struggle to meet their nutritional needs

• Find swallowing uncomfortable, tiring, or effortful

• Have a very restricted diet, refusing multiple food types

• Experience sensory aversions to certain food colours or textures

Book an Assessment

If your child is experiencing feeding or swallowing challenges, our specialist team is here to help. Contact us today to book an assessment and take the first step toward safer, more enjoyable mealtimes.

Are You Experiencing Difficulties with Eating, Drinking or Swallowing?

Our specialist dysphagia therapists can help you regain safety, comfort, and confidence in eating and drinking, improving your health and quality of life.

Eating and drinking is not just about nourishment—they are key social experiences that bring joy and connection. When swallowing becomes difficult, it can have a significant impact on daily life, emotional wellbeing, and relationships.

Our team of dedicated, experienced and qualified dysphagia therapists assess and provide treatment for adults with eating, drinking or swallowing difficulties for a range of conditions such as:

• Stroke

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

• Neurological & Progressive Conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease)

• Head & Neck Cancer

• Dementia and Cognitive Decline

• Reflux (GERD) and related swallowing difficulties

How Our Specialist Dysphagia Speech & Language Therapists Can Help

At Magic Words Therapy, we provide evidence-based dysphagia treatment to improve swallowing safety, efficiency, and comfort.

Our therapy may include:

• Swallowing Therapy & Exercises – Strengthening muscles and improving coordination for safer, more effective swallowing.

• Postural & Behavioural Modifications – Recommending adjustments in positioning and pacing to make swallowing easier.

• Diet & Texture Modifications – Using the IDDSI framework to ensure food and drink are safe and manageable.

• GERD/Reflux Counselling – Supporting individuals with acid reflux-related swallowing difficulties.

• Pre-Chemo/Surgery Counselling – Helping individuals prepare for changes in swallowing function due to medical treatments.

• Sensory & Environmental Adaptations – Addressing sensory-based aversions and modifying mealtime settings for comfort.

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration – Working with doctors, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and care teams to ensure a holistic approach.

• Family & Carer Training – Empowering loved ones and support staff with practical strategies to assist with safe swallowing.

Do You Need a Swallowing Assessment?

You may benefit from support if you:

• Frequently cough, choke, or struggle to clear your throat while eating or drinking.

• Feel like food gets stuck in your throat or have pain when swallowing.

• Experience repeated chest infections due to aspiration (food/drink entering the lungs).

• Avoid certain foods or liquids because they are hard to swallow.

• Have unintentional weight loss due to difficulty eating.

• Take a long time to finish meals or find eating exhausting.

Book an Assessment

If you or someone you support is experiencing difficulties with eating, drinking, or swallowing, our expert team is here to help.

Contact Magic Words Therapy today to book an assessment and take the first step toward safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable mealtimes.

Specialist Support for Eating, Drinking & Swallowing in Individuals with Complex Needs

At Magic Words Therapy, we understand that individuals with complex needs require a highly specialist and holistic approach to managing eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties. Our dedicated team of speech and language therapists are committed to providing comprehensive assessments, tailored interventions, and ongoing support to ensure individuals can eat and drink as safely and comfortably as possible.

Comprehensive & In-Depth Assessment

We recognise that a thorough and detailed assessment is essential to fully understand the individual’s eating, drinking, and swallowing needs. Dysphagia can be influenced by multiple factors, including:

• Medical conditions and diagnosis

• Cognitive and sensory processing abilities

• Environmental factors and routines

• Positioning and posture

• Communication and mealtime interaction

To ensure we gain a complete picture, our assessments can take place across multiple settings, including:

• Home

• School or educational placements

• Residential settings

• Community environments

This multifaceted approach allows us to observe how different environments, routines, and support systems impact the individual’s ability to eat and drink safely.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

We know that effective dysphagia management relies on collaboration between professionals. Our therapists work closely with all key individuals involved in the young person’s care, ensuring a coordinated and consistent approach. We liaise with:

• Medical teams (paediatricians, neurologists, GPs, gastroenterologists)

• Education staff (teachers, SENCOs, support workers)

• Occupational therapists & physiotherapists (for positioning and sensory needs)

• Dietitians & nutritionists (to optimise dietary intake and hydration)

• Families & carers (ensuring confidence in supporting safe eating and drinking)

By working as part of a multidisciplinary team, we ensure that recommendations are practical, sustainable, and fully integrated into daily life.

Tailored Support & Intervention

Every individual is unique, and so is our approach. Based on our assessment, we provide:

• Personalised strategies and mealtime modifications

• Texture and fluid recommendations to optimise safety and comfort

• Specialist feeding techniques for improved swallowing function

• Training for families, carers, and support teams

• Ongoing monitoring and adjustments as needs evolve

We are dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and caregivers with the knowledge and skills needed to manage eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties with confidence.

How We Help Children and Young People With Swallowing and Feeding

Our dysphagia service offers the latest evidence-based treatments, including:

• Targeted exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles

• Postural and behavioural modifications to improve safety and comfort

• Diet and texture modifications following the IDDSI framework

• Specialist support for sensory-based feeding difficulties

We work collaboratively with professionals involved in your child’s care, including:

• Paediatricians and medical staff

• Dietitians

• Occupational Therapists (OTs)

• Physiotherapists (PTs)

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that recommendations are fully integrated into your child's daily routines.

At Magic Words Therapy, we believe in a child-centred approach, working closely with families to align treatment with their goals and make a meaningful difference in their child's life.

Book an Assessment

If you are supporting someone with complex needs and concerns about their eating, drinking, or swallowing, our specialist team is here to help. Contact us today to book an assessment and take the first step toward safer, more enjoyable mealtimes.