What are adaptive utensils? 

Adaptive utensils are modified eating and drinking tools designed to reduce barriers at mealtimes. They can support:

• improved grip and control

• reduced spillage

• steadier feeding with tremor

• reduced fatigue and effort

• safer pacing and bite/sip size

• greater independence and dignity at meals

Who may benefit?

Adaptive utensils may help if you or your family member experiences:

• reduced hand strength or painful joints (e.g., arthritis)

• tremor or coordination changes

• neurological conditions affecting fine motor control

• limited range of movement in shoulders, elbows, wrists or hands

• disability-related motor planning or sensory challenges

• fatigue that affects mealtime endurance

• difficulty managing cutlery, cups, or portion sizes

Examples of adaptive utensils and supports 

Depending on goals and assessment, options may include:

• Built-up handles (easier grip, reduced strain)

• Angled or bendable cutlery (helps bring food to mouth with less wrist movement)

• Rocker knives (one-handed cutting options)

• Non-slip mats and plate guards/scoop bowls (reduce spillage, improve independence)

• Two-handled cups or lidded cups (stability and pacing support)

• Straws/valves and controlled-flow options (where clinically appropriate)

• Weighted utensils (may assist some tremor profiles)

The “best” utensil depends on the person, the foods/liquids involved, posture/seating, and the environment.

How Palms delivers this support

Our support may include:

• assessment of current mealtime function (skills, setup, fatigue, safety, independence)

• observation of eating/drinking where appropriate

• trialling suitable utensil options and setup changes

• recommendations for home, school, or support-worker settings

• education and training for families/carers/support staff

• written guidance or a mealtime plan when consistency across settings is needed

• linkage to Assistive Technology (AT) pathways if documentation is required

We focus on practical recommendations—items that are easy to use, easy to implement, and realistic for daily routines.

What to expect

Your first session typically includes:

• a detailed intake about your child’s communication and routines

• identification of goals that matter to your family

• practical strategies you can start using immediately

• a plan for how coaching will be delivered (frequency, format, next steps)

We keep the focus on realistic strategies that your family can use consistently—without adding stress or unrealistic expectations.

Funding & referrals

We welcome a range of funding pathways and can help you understand the best option for your situation.

We see clients using:

Private (self-funded)

NDIS (self-managed and plan-managed)

Aged Care / Home Care Packages

Medicare (where eligible, with a GP referral)

DVA (eligible veterans)

Other funding pathways (e.g., insurers or schemes, where applicable)

Where clinically appropriate, we can provide supporting documentation to inform service planning and care coordination.

Book an Assessment with a Speech Pathologist

If you or someone you care for is showing signs of swallowing and mealtime difficulty, our Speech Pathology team can help assess swallowing concerns and provide practical guidance around safer eating and drinking.

Contact Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health to ask about our therapy and assessments in Perth for adults and children.

Adaptive Utensils FAQ

Do I need an OT or a Speech Pathologist for adaptive utensils?
It depends. OT is commonly involved for independence, grip, access, and functional setup. Speech Pathology may be recommended if there are swallowing/mealtime safety concerns or a mealtime management plan is needed.

Can you recommend specific products/brands?
We can recommend options that match your needs and help you understand what to look for. Availability and purchasing are usually through retail or suppliers, but we can guide you on suitable features and trial options.

Do you provide utensils on the day?
We may have items we can trial depending on availability, but most equipment is purchased separately. We can still assess needs and recommend the best next steps even if items need to be sourced afterward.

What if the issue is actually seating/positioning, not the utensils?
That’s common. Sometimes the biggest improvement comes from posture, foot support, table height, or pacing strategies. We’ll look at the whole setup, not just the cutlery.

Can adaptive utensils help with tremor?
They can help some people, depending on the type of tremor and overall control/fatigue. We may trial weighted or stabilising options and adjust the setup for best results.

Do you help with school or support-worker implementation?
Yes—where appropriate and with consent, we can provide practical guidance and written instructions to support consistent use across settings.

Speech Therapy Services in Perth for Children & Adults

Speech Therapy (also called Speech Pathology) focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication and swallowing difficulties. At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, our speech pathologists support children, teens, and adults to improve speech clarity, language skills, social communication, voice and fluency and swallowing safety.

How Can Speech Therapy Help You?

Speech therapy can help with a wide range of concerns, including:

• Speech delays in children: Supporting speech sound development, clarity, and age-appropriate communication.

• Speech sound disorders: Including articulation (sound production) and phonological (sound patterns) difficulties.

•  Language disorders: Helping with both receptive language (understanding) and expressive language (using words and sentences).

• Swallowing and feeding difficulties (dysphagia): Supporting people who have difficulty swallowing safely due to conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurological conditions.

• Social communication differences: Supporting conversational skills, turn-taking, perspective-taking, and understanding non-verbal communication.

•  Stuttering and fluency disorders: Helping clients manage fluency, reduce effort/tension, and build confidence in communication.

Speech Therapy Services We Provide

Paediatric Speech Therapy

• Paediatric speech therapy supports children with speech, language, communication, and early literacy needs using evidence-based and child-friendly approaches. Sessions may be play-based (especially for younger children), while still being structured and goal-directed.

• Common areas we support include:

  1. Speech sound development (clarity and intelligibility)

  2. Language delays and developmental language disorder

  3. Social communication support

  4. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) where appropriate

  5. Early literacy foundations (e.g., phonological awareness)

Adult Speech Therapy

• Adult speech therapy supports adults with communication and swallowing needs related to neurological conditions, injury, medical events, or age-related changes. Therapy is practical, functional, and designed around everyday participation (home, work, community).

• Common areas we support include:

  1. Communication changes after stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or neurological illness

  2. Dysarthria and motor speech changes

  3. Cognitive-communication difficulties (attention, memory, organisation impacting communication)

  4. Voice therapy where indicated

  5. Dysphagia support and mealtime strategies

NDIS Speech Therapy Services

• NDIS speech therapy is available for self-managed and plan-managed participants. Therapy may focus on functional communication goals, speech clarity, social interaction and participation, and AAC support where required. We collaborate with participants, families, support coordinators, schools, and relevant providers to support practical, meaningful outcomes.

Speech Therapy for Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)

• Dysphagia (swallowing) support helps when swallowing difficulties affect hydration, nutrition, safety and confidence with eating and drinking. Our speech pathologists can complete clinical assessments (as appropriate), provide strategies for safer swallowing, recommend targeted exercises when indicated, and support shared-care referral pathways with GPs/ENT/medical teams when needed.

• Why Choose Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health for Speech Therapy?

• Experienced Speech Pathologists: Skilled in paediatric and adult communication and swallowing support.

• NDIS Provider (self- and plan-managed): Therapy is aligned to participant goals and everyday function.

• Family-Centred Approach: We involve parents, carers, and supports where appropriate so strategies carry over into real life.

• Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Care: We work alongside our broader allied health team when integrated support is beneficial.

Sensory Room and Kids Therapy Gym

• Our sensory room and kids therapy gym can support therapy goals through a motivating, functional environment—particularly helpful for children who benefit from movement-based learning and sensory regulation strategies. These spaces may be used when clinically relevant to support engagement, attention, participation, and goal progress.

Locations

• We offer speech pathology services in Perth, including our Malaga and Noranda clinics.

Who can benefit?

Feeding & Swallowing assessments and plans may help:

Children with feeding challenges, sensory-based preferences, limited food range, or mealtime distress

Adults with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), neurological conditions, or post-illness deconditioning

Older adults experiencing coughing/choking risk, fatigue, reduced appetite, or swallowing changes

People with disability who need consistent, safe mealtime strategies across settings

Signs you should seek urgent medical advice

Please seek urgent medical review if you notice any new or worsening:

frequent coughing/choking during meals or drinks

wet/gurgly voice after swallowing

recurrent chest infections or suspected aspiration

significant weight loss, dehydration, or inability to maintain intake

sudden change in swallow function, weakness, or breathing issues

In an emergency - pelase call 000.

Note: This page is general information only and does not replace medical advice. If you have urgent swallowing concerns, seek medical review.