Swallowing and/or communication issues can be isolating and frustrating for you, your family, colleagues and friends. With effective diagnosis and treatment, speech pathologist Meagan McGahan, can help you improve your speech clarity, volume, language skills and swallowing.

Conditions

Adults experience speech and/or swallowing problems for a number of reasons. Issues could include changes in muscle tone, coordination and strength, and swallowing difficulties caused by Parkinson’s disease or other medical conditions. Problems could be due to chronic coughing, stuttering, or damage as the result of an accident or illness, dementia or stroke.

Meagan can help adults experiencing any of the following:

  • Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) – may be associated with neurological conditions

    such as a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease (MND), Multiple sclerosis

    (MS), Myasthenia gravis (MG), progressive supranuclear palsy, or Huntington’s disease

  • Speech difficulties (dysarthria, dyspraxia or reduced clarity) – associated with a

    neurological or other conditions

  • Voice projection and vocal problems – can be caused by Parkinson’s disease and other medical conditions

  • Chronic cough – associated with swallowing and/or talking

  • Language difficulties (aphasia) – commonly associated with a stroke or early onset

    dementia

  • Slurred speech, croaky voice, stuttering or difficulty finding words.

Assessments

Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS / MBS) –
Best-practice assessments for swallowing

The best way to assess swallowing difficulties is with a Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) assessment, also known as Modified Barium Swallow (MBS). This test assesses swallowing with a dynamic x-ray in real-time, with a range of food and fluids mixed with barium – a safe, ingestible metallic compound that makes food and fluids easier to see on xrays. Barium is not harmful, and the x-ray machine is only turned on while you swallow. No specific fasting is required.

Meagan conducts the highly specialised VFSS / MBS assessment with radiographers and radiologists at her practice, Swallow Clinic in Queensland X-ray, at St Vincent’s Hospital, Kangaroo Point on Tuesdays or at Greenslopes Private Hospital on request. As an experienced professional, Meagan has been working with the specialists at Greenslopes since 2001. The benefits for you include:

  • accessible setting, with dedicated clinics every Tuesday morning

  • alternative appointments available on request

  • Videofluroscopic chair for people with poor balance or those who need extra support

  • joint report on your diagnosis

  • holistic approach to treatment, involving your other care professionals.

Find out more about VFSS/MBS in this short video

Other speech assessments

There are other standardised assessments that speech pathologists use to assess someone’s speech and their language, depending on specific communication problems. We can discuss these with you.

Referrals and joined-up healthcare

Your first appointment with Meagan will be available within two weeks, with follow-up consultations as required. After the assessment, Meagan will provide written information specific to your condition. She will involve your referring doctor and other allied health professionals in your tailored treatment plan, including any follow-up assessments and consultations.

Our practice accepts referrals from GPs, Medical Specialists, other allied health professionals, aged care providers, WorkCover, NDIS plan managed or self-managed clients, and by individuals or their carers.

You can self-refer for any consultation except for a Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS)/Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) assessment with speech pathologist.

A signed referral from your GP is required for:

  • Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS)

  • Departments of Veterans Affairs (DVA)

  • Medicare Enhanced Primary Care Plan.