Nutrition Support for Children, Teens & Adults
Practical, evidence-based dietitian care designed to support health, growth, feeding, independence and everyday wellbeing.
- NDIS (Self & Plan Managed)
- Paediatric & Adult Clients
- In-Clinic | Community | Telehealth
Why Families Choose Steps2Life Dietitian Services
At Steps2Life, our Accredited Practising Dietitian provides gentle, realistic and achievable nutrition support for clients of all ages. We combine clinical expertise with practical strategies that suit each person’s environment, abilities and daily routines.
We support families through challenges such as feeding difficulties, chronic conditions, sensory preferences, limited diets, weight changes, nutritional deficiencies, independence-building and more.
What a Dietitian Does at Steps2Life
Our Dietitian provides:
- Comprehensive nutrition assessments
- Evidence-based guidance tailored to each client
- Meal planning support for families and support workers
- Feeding-focused sessions for children
- Strategies that fit real life — school, home, therapy or community settings
- Collaborative support with OTs, Speech, Behaviour, Psychology & Physio
- NDIS reports, letters and recommendations
Christina Aitkens
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Bachelor of Science & Master of Nutrition and Dietetics — University of Sydney
Christina is a compassionate and practical dietitian who supports clients of all ages, including children, teens, adults and families. She combines clinical expertise with real-life strategies that fit each person’s routines, abilities and environment.
Her approach is gentle, pressure-free and evidence-based — helping clients build confidence, improve nutrition habits and feel supported every step of the way.
Areas We Support
Below is a full overview of the conditions, behaviours, and nutrition needs we can work with.
Support for both paediatric and adult clients with:
Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, Gestational)
- Understanding blood sugar patterns
- Carbohydrate awareness
- Meal planning and balanced eating
- Weight management (where appropriate)
Renal (Kidney) Conditions
- Managing protein, sodium, potassium, fluids
- Supporting blood pressure and blood glucose control
- Reducing risk of complications
Liver Conditions
- Nutrition for fatty liver disease
- High-protein support for cirrhosis or muscle loss
- Practical, achievable food strategies
Cardiovascular Health
- Support for high cholesterol & high blood pressure
- Understanding healthy fats
- Fibre strategies for heart health
Stroke Recovery Nutrition
- Texture-modified diets
- Meeting energy and protein needs
- Practical guidance for families
We assist with:
- Calculating energy/protein needs
- Selecting appropriate feed formulas
- Setting rates, volumes & hydration needs
- Education on safe tube management
- Supporting families & support workers
Note: Dietitians do not insert tubes. We provide support once the tube is medically placed.
For children with:
- Autism
- ADHD
- ARFID
- Sensory food aversions
- Limited diets (white, beige, plain foods)
- Difficulty trying new foods
- Constipation related to low fibre
- Meal-time behaviour challenges
We use a positive, play-based and pressure-free approach, including:
- Food exploration sessions
- Gradual expansion of accepted foods
- Parent coaching & mealtime strategies
- Routine-building and structure
- Supporting healthy bowel habits
We support:
- Healthy weight gain
- Healthy weight loss
- Low muscle mass
- Energy-balanced eating
- Learning lifelong food skills
Using tools such as:
- The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
- Healthy Plate Model
- Family-friendly meal structure
Support for:
- Low appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
- Limited intake due to disability, illness or sensory barriers
- Muscle wasting
- Growth faltering
We can guide clients in accessing:
Ensure • Fresubin • Nutricia • Pediasure & more
(Clinic can arrange ordering and client billing if desired.)
Support for:
- IBS
- Low-FODMAP guidance
- Constipation & bloating
- Food allergies & intolerances
- Gut-related behavioural symptoms
We provide simple, manageable strategies families can use daily.
Support includes:
- Safe meal and snack ideas
- Meeting nutrient needs on pureed or minced diets
- Thickened fluid guidance
- Linking families to appropriate commercial products
- Dietitians do not diagnose dysphagia but can assist with ongoing management.
Common deficiencies we assist with:
Children:
- Iron
- Fibre
- Low fruit/vegetable intake
Adults:
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Nutrition for bone health
- Post-menopause nutritional needs
Practical hands-on sessions may include:
- Grocery shopping
- Pantry setup & food safety
- Simple cooking & meal prep
- Building meal routines
- Making healthy choices in real-life situations
- This is especially helpful for teens and adults with psychosocial disabilities.
For clients with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- ADHD
Support includes:
- Routine-building
- Managing appetite changes due to medication
- Nutrient-dense, simple food strategies
- Reducing overwhelm at mealtimes
- Parent & caregiver education
- Support worker training
- School support
- MDT meetings & case conferences
- Resource development (meal plans, recipes, visuals)
- NDIS reports & letters
1. Initial Assessment
A detailed nutrition assessment to understand history, habits, goals and medical needs.
2. Personalised Nutrition Plan
Clear, practical steps suitable for the client’s home life, routines and abilities.
3. Ongoing Support
Regular sessions to adjust goals, support families and build confidence.
4. Collaborative Care
We work alongside OT, Speech, Behaviour, Psychologists and Physio to ensure shared goals.
NDIS Dietitian Support
We support:
- Self-managed participants
- Plan-managed participants
Dietitian support can help clients build capacity, improve daily living skills and meet nutrition-related NDIS goals.
Locations we serve
What Our Happy Clients Are Saying
5-Star Rated Care That Families Trust
FAQs
What does a dietitian do at Steps2Life?
Our dietitian provides nutrition assessments, practical meal guidance, feeding support, and strategies that fit real-life routines at home, school, or in the community. We support children, teens, and adults.
Do you work with NDIS participants?
Yes. We support Self-Managed and Plan-Managed NDIS participants. Our dietitian can help build daily living skills, improve nutrition habits, and provide reports or recommendations when needed.
Can you help with fussy eating or limited diets?
Yes. We support children with sensory preferences, limited food ranges, ARFID, autism, ADHD, and feeding challenges. Sessions are gentle, pressure-free, and focused on gradual progress.
Do you offer telehealth dietitian sessions?
Yes. We provide dietitian support in-clinic, in the community, and via telehealth Australia-wide. Families can choose whichever option works best for their routine.
Book a Dietitian Consultation
Our friendly admin team can help you understand what type of support is best for your needs.
📞 Phone number: 1300 009 006
📧 Email: admin@steps2life.com.au




