Feeding therapy for children
At Ethos Health, we understand how challenging mealtimes can be for families. Our specialist feeding service is designed to help children aged 18 months to 12 years who are struggling with feeding difficulties. Whether it’s avoiding certain foods, disliking textures, or other mealtime struggles, our team of experts, including a speech pathologist and a paediatric dietitian, is here to offer support and guidance.
Is this service right for your child?
If your child is facing any of the following challenges at mealtimes, our feeding therapy service may be the solution you’ve been searching for:
- Avoiding specific types of food or entire food groups
- Disliking certain textures (e.g., refusing to eat vegetables or foods with certain consistencies)
- Exhibiting mealtime difficulties such as throwing food, crying, or taking a long time to eat
- Refusing to eat meals that the rest of the family is having
- Eating well at daycare but refusing to eat at home
- Needing constant negotiation or bribery to get through mealtimes
- Concerns about growth or nutrition, or the need for supplemental feeds
What to expect from a feeding therapy appointment
Our comprehensive 60-minute appointment combines the expertise of a paediatric dietitian and a paediatric feeding speech pathologist. Together, they will assess and create a personalised plan for your child’s feeding needs. Here’s what the appointment includes:
- Paediatric dietitian review: Our dietitian will evaluate your child’s growth and nutritional needs, ensuring they are on track for healthy development.
- Paediatric speech pathologist assessment: The speech pathologist will screen your child’s feeding skills, including chewing, swallowing, and sensory food preferences. This helps identify any underlying challenges contributing to mealtime struggles.
- Feeding strategies: You will receive practical, evidence-based strategies to build food variety and manage challenging mealtime behaviours. These strategies serve as a starting point for creating positive mealtime experiences.
- Personalised plan: After the session, we provide a detailed plan for review, including recommendations for further support, whether it involves dietitians, speech pathology, your GP, paediatrician, or other healthcare providers.
Appointment costs & payment options
The cost for a Feeding Therapy appointment is $449.82. We also offer rebates through private health funds (depending on allied health coverage) and NDIS funding for self- or plan-managed clients.
Referrals and appointments
A referral is not required to book an appointment; however, you may choose to request one from your GP, paediatrician, or another health professional. Please include your contact details so that our team can reach out to arrange an appointment.
