Bhanupiriya Mahadevan

Specialities
Speech Therapy
Languages
English, Tamil, Malay

Core competencies

Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) Management

  • FEES, VFSS, rigid endoscopy and bedside swallowing evaluations
  • Cervical auscultation and four-finger test for hyolaryngeal excursion
  • Dysphagia management in head and neck cancer, stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s, ALS and post-radiation cases

Paediatric Feeding Therapy

  • Early NICU intervention (24 hours post-birth)
  • Management of oral motor delays, sensory feeding issues, picky eating and Failure to Thrive
  • Expertise in IDDSI framework for safe feeding and swallowing progression

Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)

  • Assessment and management of lip-tie and tongue-tie cases across all ages
  • Pre- and post-frenectomy oro-myofunctional therapy

Oro-Myofunctional Therapy

  • Certified in treating drooling, tongue thrust, poor lip seal and abnormal oral postures
  • Intervention for mouth breathing and speech sound disorders

Oral Placement Therapy (TalkTools)

  • Certified in TalkTools hierarchy for oral motor strengthening
  • Skilled in therapeutic tools such as bite blocks, chewy tubes, honey bear bottles, spoon squeezers and Terra-bite

Speech and Language Intervention

  • Treatment of speech sound disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), developmental delays, Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and rare syndromes

Voice Therapy

  • Expertise in vocal fold paralysis/paresis, nodules, presbyphonia, puberphonia, functional dysphonia and muscle tension dysphonia
  • Stroboscopy-informed intervention in collaboration with ENT specialists

Tracheostomy Management

  • Skilled in cuffed/uncuffed tube care, speaking valve trials and safe decannulation readiness
  • Caregiver training for home tracheostomy management

Head and Neck Cancer Rehabilitation

  • Pre-, peri- and post-treatment prophylactic and rehabilitative exercises
  • Swallowing and speech rehabilitation for oral-maxillofacial and oncology cases

Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Leadership

  • Worked with ENT, neurologists, oncologists, neonatologists, OMF surgeons, gastroenterologists, dietitians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists

Profile

Nationality
Malaysian
Summary
Bhanupiriya Mahadevan is an accomplished Speech, Language, Feeding and Swallowing Therapist with over 8 years of international clinical experience across India, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. She currently practises at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, Dubai, providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services across the lifespan, from neonates in the NICU to geriatric populations in rehabilitation care.

She is clinically proficient in advanced instrumental swallowing assessments, independently conducting and interpreting Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and Video-Fluoroscopic Swallowing Studies (VFSS). She has also performed rigid endoscopy, laryngoscopy and specialised protocols for neonates, paediatrics and complex airway cases.

Her clinical expertise spans NICU feeding from 24 hours post-birth, complex paediatric feeding disorders, rare genetic syndromes, tracheostomy care and safe decannulation, voice therapy, and rehabilitation of stroke, traumatic brain injury, head and neck cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. She is also certified in Oro-Myofunctional Therapy and Oral Placement Therapy (TalkTools), enabling her to deliver specialised interventions for structural, sensory and functional communication needs.
Bhanupiriya has contributed to hospital service development by establishing swallowing protocols (VFSS/FEES) and setting up a Speech Therapy Department in Malaysia. She has also mentored junior speech therapists in advanced swallowing and feeding management.

Beyond clinical practice, she is a published author in peer-reviewed journals, a contributor to health magazines, and an active speaker at professional and public awareness events.

Qualification

Bachelor of Health Science in Speech Pathology (First Class Honours), Universiti Sains Malaysia
MSc Deglutology and Swallowing Disorders (First Rank Holder and Gold Medallist), Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Professional Courses and Trainings
Oro-Myofunctional Therapy Certification
Signs of Poor Sensory Processing (Feeding and Mealtime)
TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy Certification
Gender-Affirming Voice Therapy (Introductory Level)
Understanding the Voice and Principal Management
Neuro-Deglutology Symposium, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
Childhood Apraxia of Speech: From Diagnosis to Discharge
MED-EL Accreditation for Hearing Implant Rehabilitation – Foundation Level
Webinars and Advanced Trainings
FEES and Stroboscopy Challenges with Narrow Band Imaging (Jun 2023)
Assessment and Management of Dysphagia (May 2020)
Interpreting the Laryngoscopy (May 2020)
Licensure and Memberships
Licensed Speech Therapist – Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
Licensed Speech Therapist – Malaysian Allied Health Professions Council (MAHPC)
Member – Malaysian Association of Speech and Hearing (MASH)

Contact

Practices at

Publications & videos

Events & lectures