Feeding Therapy
Compassionate nutrition support to help children and families overcome feeding challenges, build positive mealtime routines, and create a healthy relationship with food.
Why Feeding Therapy Matters?
Feeding difficulties can affect growth, nutrition, and family mealtimes. With the right support, children can expand their food variety, reduce mealtime stress, and develop a lifelong positive relationship with food.
Fussy & Picky Eating
Around 25–45% of children experience feeding difficulties, with picky eating being one of the most common concerns for parents.
Growth & Development
Poor intake or limited food variety can impact growth, nutrient intake, and energy for learning and play.
Sensory & Medical Challenges
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or medical conditions are more likely to experience food refusal and restricted eating.
Family Wellbeing
Feeding challenges often cause stress for parents and carers — supportive guidance helps restore calmer, more enjoyable mealtimes.
Who we help?
Our feeding therapy dietitians work with:
- Infants and toddlers learning to eat and transition to solids
- Children with fussy or selective eating patterns
- Children with developmental delays or disabilities
- Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or sensory processing difficulties
- Families struggling with mealtime behaviours, food refusal, or anxiety around eating
Conditions We Support
We provide specialist support for:
- Feeding difficulties linked to medical conditions – such as reflux, swallowing issues, or gastrointestinal concerns
- Fussy/selective eating – highly restricted diets and limited food acceptance
- Sensory-based feeding challenges – discomfort with textures, tastes, or smells
- Anxiety and stress around eating – food refusal, fear of choking, or negative associations
- Nutritional deficiencies – low intake of iron, calcium, fibre, or other essential nutrients
- Transition stages – moving from breast/bottle to solids, or from purees to textured foods
Our Expertise
Responsive Feeding
Building trust and autonomy around food, encouraging children to tune into hunger and fullness cues.
Food Chaining
Gradually introducing new foods by connecting them to familiar, accepted foods in a low-stress way.
Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS)
Addressing sensory, oral motor, behavioural, and nutritional aspects of feeding challenges.
Play-Based Approaches
Using methods such as DIR Floortime and AEIOU to support children’s development and reduce food-related anxiety.
How We Work With You
Our dietitians provide support that is family-centred, practical, and tailored to each child’s needs.
We explore medical history, feeding behaviours, growth, and family mealtime routines.
Strategies to expand food variety, manage sensory challenges, and improve mealtime confidence.
Regular follow-ups to adjust approaches, celebrate progress, and provide reassurance for families.
Meet our Feeding Therapy Dietitian Team
Our team includes dietitians with specialised training and experience in sports nutrition. Each brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to help optimise performance, recovery, and overall health.
Click on a dietitian below to learn more about their background and experience, and to book a telehealth appointment directly.
If you would prefer a home visit, please
click here to submit an enquiry or referral form
.
Lena Tat
Lena supports children with feeding therapy using approaches such as Responsive Feeding, Food Chaining, and SOS. She has experience working with ASD, and those with eating disorders such as ARFID, helping families build positive and relaxed mealtime routines. Lena is available for telehealth Australia-wide, and home visits in Northern Melbourne Suburbs & Shepparton.
Ivan Chan
Ivan provides feeding therapy using Responsive Feeding, Food Chaining, AEIOU strategies, and SOS approaches. He has training from the Royal Children’s Hospital and works with children with ASD, sensory challenges, and eating disorders including ARFID. Ivan is available for telehealth Australia-wide, and home visits in Eastern Melbourne Suburbs.
Brooke Norman
Brooke is trained in Feeding Therapy and Responsive Feeding, with further training from the Royal Children’s Hospital Paediatric course. She works with children with ASD, fussy eating, and ARFID, helping them develop confidence and enjoyment with food. Brooke is available for telehealth Australia-wide, and home visits in Eastern & South-Eastern Melbourne Suburbs.
Katie Vickers
Katie is trained in Responsive Feeding and has completed the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Paed course, supporting children with ASD and selective eating. She is passionate about helping families build positive mealtime experiences and works with children who experience ARFID and other feeding difficulties. Katie is available for telehealth Australia-wide, and home visits in Eastern Melbourne suburbs.
Danielle Serafini
Danni provides feeding therapy for children with ASD & selective eating, using Responsive Feeding, Food Chaining, AEIOU strategies, and training from RCH Paediatric course. She also supports children with ARFID, and brings the perspective of being a mother of three. Danni is available for telehealth Aus-wide & home visits in North & North-Eastern Melbourne suburbs.
Michaela Gold
Michaela is trained in SOS Approach to Feeding, supporting children with ASD and selective eating. She helps families manage mealtime challenges and has extensive experience with ARFID, which makes up much of her caseload, and other eating difficulties linked to anxiety or sensory issues. Michaela is available for telehealth Australia-wide, and home visits surrounding the Gold Coast.
Frequency Asked Questions
Our feeding therapy dietitians in Melbourne, Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury Wodonga, Brisbane, and Gold Coast help children and families overcome feeding difficulties, fussy eating, and sensory-based challenges through responsive, evidence-based nutrition support.
Feeding therapy helps children who struggle with eating — whether that’s extreme fussy eating, sensory food aversions, or limited food variety. Our dietitians use gentle, evidence-based approaches like responsive feeding, SOS, and food chaining to help children explore food confidently and enjoy mealtimes again.
We focus on making food fun, supporting healthy growth, and reducing stress for both children and parents.
Every child is different, but most families notice small positive changes — like reduced mealtime stress or willingness to touch or taste new foods — within a few weeks.
Feeding therapy is gradual and focuses on building trust with food. For lasting results, consistent practice at home between sessions is key.
Yes. Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, or sensory processing challenges benefit from feeding therapy. Our dietitians are trained in responsive and trauma-informed feeding approaches that respect each child’s comfort level and unique needs.
We help families address issues such as food refusal, strong food preferences, or sensory aversions to textures and smells — building variety and nutrition at the child’s pace.
Yes. Feeding difficulties and gut issues often go hand-in-hand. A limited diet can affect fibre intake, digestion, and bowel regularity.
Our dietitians address these concerns by supporting gut comfort alongside food expansion — helping improve nutrition, digestion, and overall wellbeing.
Many children grow out of short fussy phases, but ongoing feeding issues can lead to nutrient deficiencies, growth concerns, and stressful mealtimes.
Feeding therapy helps your child explore new foods safely and positively, while teaching parents strategies to reduce pressure and anxiety. Early support helps prevent long-term food avoidance, improving confidence, nutrition, and family wellbeing.
Feeding therapy sessions are family-centred, play-based, and tailored to your child. Your dietitian will explore eating patterns, growth, and nutrition, then create a personalised plan with practical strategies you can use at home.
A session may include:
- Food play or sensory steps (using SOS or food chaining approaches)
- Coaching for parents on responsive feeding
- Nutrition checks for key nutrients like iron or calcium
- Gentle, fun exposure to new foods
- Goal setting and progress tracking
Sessions can take place at home or via telehealth, depending on what suits your family best.
Our team provides care across Melbourne (North, West, East, South East, CBD), Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury Wodonga, Brisbane, and Gold Coast, with telehealth support nationwide.
No, you don’t need a referral to see one of our dietitians for feeding therapy — families are welcome to book directly.
However, if you have an NDIS plan, a GP referral, or a Team Care Arrangement, your sessions may be eligible for rebates or funding.
Referrals are often helpful if your child is also seeing a paediatrician, speech pathologist, or occupational therapist, as we can coordinate care more effectively with your team.
If you’re unsure what you need, our admin team can guide you through the process or help with referral forms via appetitefornutrition.com.au/referral-form.
Yes! Feeding therapy can be provided via telehealth anywhere in Australia.
Telehealth is a great option for families who live regionally or prefer the comfort of home.
Our dietitians use video sessions to:
Guide you through strategies in your own mealtime environment
Demonstrate food play and feeding exercises
Coach parents on structure and responsive feeding
Review progress and adjust plans in real time
Families often find telehealth sessions just as effective as in-person visits — and more flexible around school, work, and routines.
We also offer home visits in Melbourne, Shepparton, Albury Wodonga, and the Gold Coast for families wanting in-person support.
Contact us today to begin your journey towards a better you
Do you want to reach out for more information or see how we can help you? Reach out to us by clicking on the button below.