Feeding Support for Children & Teens
Feeding support for children and adolescents with selective eating, ARFID, sensory feeding challenges & mealtime stress in Newcastle & the Hunter Region
Feeding challenges in school‑aged children and teenagers can significantly impact nutrition, growth, social participation and family routines. THRIVE provides specialist feeding assessment and therapy for children and adolescents aged 4–17 years, supporting families across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Region.
Our multidisciplinary team helps young people with selective eating, ARFID, sensory‑based feeding challenges, autism‑related feeding difficulties, oral‑motor concerns and mealtime stress, using gentle, evidence‑based strategies that build confidence and reduce pressure.
Our approach
Feeding therapy for children and teens at THRIVE is Speech‑Pathology‑led, with Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Behaviour Support involved when sensory, emotional or behavioural factors are contributing.
We explore:
- sensory preferences and sensitivities
- oral‑motor skills for chewing and swallowing
- mealtime routines and structure
- emotional and anxiety‑related feeding factors
- behavioural responses to food
- family and school mealtime environments
- participation in social eating situations
Our goal is to help young people feel safe, confident and capable around food while supporting families with practical, achievable strategies.
What we support
- Selective eating
- Restricted food repertoire
- ARFID and severe food restriction
- Autism‑related feeding difficulties
- Sensory‑based feeding challenges
- Food refusal or mealtime distress
- Gagging or difficulty trying new foods
- Oral‑motor feeding difficulties
- Suspected swallowing concerns
- Mealtime participation challenges
- Anxiety‑related feeding difficulties
Signs your child or teen may benefit from a feeding assessment
- Eats fewer than 10–20 foods
- Avoids entire food groups
- Strong sensory reactions to food smells, textures or temperatures
- Gags or becomes distressed with new foods
- Anxiety around eating or mealtimes
- Difficulty chewing certain textures
- Mealtimes feel stressful or exhausting
- Feeding challenges linked to autism or developmental differences
- Avoids eating at school or social events
- Concerns about nutrition, growth or weight
What to expect
Telehealth for children & teens
Some aspects of feeding therapy — such as parent coaching and strategy sessions — can be delivered via telehealth. However, feeding assessments are usually best completed in person to observe oral‑motor skills, sensory responses and mealtime behaviours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — we provide ARFID‑informed, low‑pressure feeding therapy for children and adolescents.
Yes — we support sensory‑based feeding challenges and autism‑related feeding difficulties.
Yes — we can provide recommendations to support mealtime participation in school settings.
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.
Some aspects — such as parent coaching — can be delivered via telehealth. However, hands‑on feeding assessment is usually best completed in person.
Yes — we support self‑managed, plan‑managed and NDIA‑managed participants.