Feeding therapy helps children who find eating hard, not just children who are “fussy”. If mealtimes in your house are long, stressful or limited to a handful of safe foods, a speech pathologist, occupational therapist or dietitian can help work out why and what to try next. Here are seven signs it may be time to get support, and how feeding therapy works at Steps2Life in Sydney.
Fussy eating or a feeding difficulty?
Most toddlers go through a picky stage. They might refuse vegetables for a few months, then slowly try new foods again. That’s a normal part of development.
A feeding difficulty is different. The child’s eating affects their growth, health, mood or family life, and it doesn’t ease with time. Some children have trouble with the physical skills of eating. Others find certain textures, smells or tastes overwhelming. Many have a mix of both.
7 signs your child might benefit from feeding therapy
- They eat fewer than 20 foods. A very narrow list of accepted foods, especially if foods drop off the list and don’t come back.
- They gag, cough or vomit at meals. Regular gagging on new textures, or coughing while eating and drinking.
- They’re stuck on purees or soft foods. Difficulty moving to lumpy, mixed or chewable textures at the expected age.
- Meals take more than 30 minutes. Long, drawn-out mealtimes, or holding food in the mouth without swallowing.
- Mealtimes end in tears. Distress, meltdowns or refusal to come to the table.
- Growth or weight concerns. Your GP or paediatrician has raised concerns about weight gain or nutrition.
- They rely on one brand or one way of serving food. Only accepting a specific packet, colour or presentation.
One sign on its own isn’t a cause for alarm. If several sound familiar, or your gut tells you something isn’t right, it’s worth talking to a therapist.
Who provides feeding therapy?
Feeding therapy works best as a team. At Steps2Life, three disciplines can be involved, depending on your child’s needs:
- Speech therapy looks at the oral motor skills used to chew, move food around the mouth and swallow safely.
- Occupational therapy looks at sensory processing, posture, fine motor skills and the mealtime routine.
- Dietetics checks that your child is getting the nutrition they need while their food range grows.
What happens in a feeding therapy session?
The first appointment is an assessment. Your therapist will ask about your child’s health history, current diet and what mealtimes look like at home. They may watch your child eat a few familiar foods.
From there, sessions are play-based and paced to your child. Therapy might include:
- Exploring new foods through touch, smell and play before tasting
- Building chewing and tongue skills with graded textures
- Seating and posture changes that make eating easier
- Practical strategies for calmer family mealtimes
Parents and carers are part of every step, so you leave with ideas to use at home.
Is feeding therapy covered by the NDIS or Medicare?
If your child has an NDIS plan, feeding therapy may be funded under Capacity Building supports, such as Improved Daily Living. Funding depends on your child’s plan and goals. You can read more on the NDIS website or see our guide to NDIS funding.
Without an NDIS plan, a GP may be able to refer your child under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan for Medicare rebates on a limited number of sessions. See Medicare and allied health for details. Private health insurance extras cover may also help.
More questions about feeding therapy
What happens in a feeding therapy session?
Feeding therapy usually starts with an assessment of your child’s eating, drinking, oral motor skills and mealtime routines. Your therapist will ask about the foods your child accepts, any gagging or coughing, and how mealtimes feel for the family. Sessions are play-based and paced to your child, so new foods are introduced gently through looking, touching, smelling and tasting rather than pressure.
How long does feeding therapy take?
Every child is different. Some families notice small changes within a few weeks, while others need support over several months, particularly when sensory, motor and behavioural factors are all involved. Your therapist will set clear goals with you and review progress regularly so you always know what is working.
What can I do at home between sessions?
Home practice makes a big difference. Your therapist may suggest keeping regular meal and snack times, serving a small portion of a new food next to a preferred food, eating together as a family and keeping mealtimes calm and positive. Avoid bribes or forcing bites, as pressure can make eating feel harder. Small, consistent steps help feeding therapy carry over into everyday meals.
Who provides feeding therapy?
Feeding therapy can involve a speech pathologist, an occupational therapist or a dietitian, depending on your child’s needs. If there are medical concerns such as weight loss, choking or reflux, your GP or paediatrician should be involved too. For more general information about fussy eating, the Raising Children Network is a helpful resource.
Key takeaways
- Picky eating is common, but ongoing gagging, distress at meals, a very small range of foods or poor growth are signs to seek feeding therapy.
- Feeding therapy is play-based, gentle and led by your child’s pace, never forced.
- Speech pathologists, occupational therapists and dietitians can all play a role, often working together.
- Calm, regular family mealtimes and small, repeated exposures to new foods help progress at home.
- If you are worried about weight, choking or reflux, talk to your GP as well.
Feeding therapy at our Sydney clinics
Steps2Life offers feeding therapy support across Western Sydney, with speech therapy at our Parramatta, Bankstown and Kingswood clinics. Dietitian appointments are available at Parramatta and Bankstown. Home and telehealth options may be available where suitable.
Ready to get started? Book an appointment online, send a referral, or call our team on 1300 009 006 to talk through your child’s needs.
