The Thrive™ Multidisciplinary Team Approach
Integrated feeding & swallowing care across Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology & Behaviour Support
Feeding and swallowing challenges are rarely caused by a single factor. They sit at the intersection of sensory processing, oral‑motor skills, emotional regulation, behaviour, development, environment, and medical history.
That’s why THRIVE uses a multidisciplinary model — one that reflects the real‑world complexity of feeding and swallowing, and the way Stef describes THRIVE’s clinical identity in her internal documents.
Our team works together to provide coordinated, evidence‑based, family‑centred care that supports safe, confident and meaningful participation in mealtimes.
Why a multidisciplinary model?
Because feeding and swallowing involve:
- the mouth (oral‑motor skills)
- the body (posture, regulation, sensory processing)
- the brain (attention, anxiety, learning, development)
- the environment (home, school, community)
- the family system (routines, expectations, stress)
No single discipline can address all of that alone.
A multidisciplinary model ensures every contributing factor is understood and supported.
This is why THRIVE uses a multidisciplinary model, not a single‑discipline lens.
Speech Pathology leads feeding & swallowing
Speech Pathologists at THRIVE lead:
- feeding assessment
- dysphagia assessment
- oral‑motor evaluation
- mealtime safety
- swallowing management
- feeding therapy planning
SPs are the primary clinicians for:
- feeding therapy
- swallowing (dysphagia)
- oral‑motor development
- texture recommendations
- mealtime safety plans
- FEES
This is the core of THRIVE’s clinical identity.
Occupational Therapy supports sensory, regulation & participation
OTs contribute to:
- sensory processing
- postural support
- regulation
- mealtime participation
- environmental adaptations
- routines and structure
- functional independence
OT involvement is especially important for:
- autism‑related feeding challenges
- sensory‑based feeding difficulties
- mealtime participation at home, school or community
- toddlers and children who struggle with regulation
Psychology supports emotional & anxiety‑related feeding factors
Psychology supports:
- anxiety around food
- ARFID‑related emotional factors
- mealtime stress
- emotional regulation
- family dynamics around feeding
- avoidance patterns
- trauma‑informed considerations
Psych involvement is key when:
- eating causes distress
- anxiety drives avoidance
- ARFID‑like presentations are present
- emotional regulation impacts feeding
Behaviour Support supports routines & mealtime behaviours
Behaviour Support Practitioners help with:
- mealtime routines
- behavioural feeding challenges
- consistency across environments
- support‑worker training
- capacity‑building
- functional behaviour strategies
This is especially important for:
- NDIS participants
- supported independent living
- school or community mealtime challenges
Medical collaboration
We collaborate with:
- GPs
- paediatricians
- specialists
- dietitians
- allied health providers
Medical teams support the broader picture — and we integrate their input into feeding and swallowing care.
How we work together
What this means for families
- You don’t have to figure out “who to see”
- You don’t get conflicting advice
- You get a coordinated plan
- You get practical, achievable strategies
- You get support that reflects the whole child, not just one part
This is the model Dr Knijnik designed — and it’s what makes THRIVE different.
Explore our services
Frequently Asked Questions
We support infants, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Feeding and swallowing needs change across the lifespan, and our approach adapts to each stage.
A feeding or swallowing assessment explores what is happening during mealtimes, how feeding skills are developing, and whether any medical, developmental, sensory, or oral‑motor factors may be contributing to difficulties. It includes discussion, observation, and evidence‑based clinical reasoning to guide next steps.
Yes. Most feeding assessments include both Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy.
Families often seek support when feeding feels stressful, effortful, or uncertain, or when mealtime routines are becoming difficult to manage. If you have concerns about safety, comfort, skill development, or mealtime confidence, an assessment can help clarify what’s happening.
Yes. We collaborate with GPs, paediatricians, lactation consultants, dietitians, OTs, and other clinicians to support coordinated, consistent care.
No. You can contact us directly to arrange an appointment. Referrals from GPs, paediatricians, or other health professionals are welcome but not required.
You’ll receive clear information about the findings, along with practical strategies and recommendations tailored to your goals and routines. If further support or collaboration with other health professionals is helpful, we will discuss this with you.
We are based in Newcastle, NSW, and support families across the Hunter region and Central Coast, including Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and Port Stephens.
Yes — we support self‑managed, plan‑managed and NDIA‑managed participants through our parent company’s (EduCare) NDIS registration.
Yes. We support families with early feeding development, including challenges related to coordination, endurance, transitions to solids, and mealtime routines. We work alongside medical teams and other professionals involved in your infant’s care.
Never. We use a low‑pressure, child‑led, neurodiversity‑affirming approach.
Yes — including neurological conditions, disability‑related dysphagia and age‑related swallowing changes.