Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about feeding, swallowing and mealtime support at THRIVE
We’ve gathered the most common questions from families, GPs, educators, support coordinators and NDIS teams.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our admin team is always happy to help.
About Our Services
What does THRIVE support?
We support feeding, swallowing and mealtime challenges across all ages — infants, children, teens, adults and older adults. This includes selective eating, sensory‑based feeding challenges, restrictive or fear‑based eating patterns, dysphagia, infant feeding needs, mealtime stress, autism‑related feeding needs and age‑related swallowing changes.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly. GP referrals are only required if you want to use a Medicare EPC/CDMP rebate.
What ages do you see?
All ages — from newborns to older adults.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth is available for feeding therapy, parent coaching, NDIS capacity‑building, support‑worker training and follow‑up sessions. Swallowing assessments must be completed in person. Telehealth can support swallowing education and review, but swallowing therapy must occur in person.
Do you work with autistic children?
Yes. We provide sensory‑aware, neurodiversity‑affirming feeding support for autistic children and teens.
Do you support ARFID?
We support restrictive or fear‑based eating patterns, including sensory‑based avoidance, fear‑based avoidance (e.g., choking), and low‑interest eating patterns. (We do not diagnose ARFID.)
Do you see adults?
Yes. We support adults with dysphagia, sensory feeding challenges, disability‑related feeding needs and age‑related swallowing changes.
Assessments
What happens in an assessment?
Assessments may include feeding or swallowing history, oral‑motor examination, sensory and participation‑based feeding profile, mealtime observation (where appropriate), and practical recommendations.
How long is an assessment?
Most assessments are 60–90 minutes depending on age and complexity.
Do you offer infant feeding assessments?
Yes — including breastfeeding, bottle feeding, latch, positioning, milk transfer and early solids. We work alongside medical and lactation teams when needed.
Do you offer dysphagia assessments?
Yes — clinical (bedside) swallowing assessments for all ages. FEES will be available from August 2026.
Do you assess at home or school?
Most assessments occur in clinic. We can provide guidance for home, school or childcare mealtime routines. We do not provide on‑site mealtime supervision or in‑environment therapy.
Therapy
What does feeding therapy involve?
Therapy may include sensory exploration, oral‑motor development, expanding food variety, reducing mealtime stress, parent coaching and participation‑focused strategies.
How often will we need therapy?
Your clinician will recommend a frequency based on goals, age and needs. Some families attend weekly, others fortnightly or monthly.
Do you offer parent‑only sessions?
Yes — parent coaching is a core part of feeding therapy.
Do you work with schools and childcare?
Yes — we can provide reports, recommendations and training for educators. (Not on‑site mealtime supervision.)
Do you train support workers?
Yes — we offer practical, tailored training for SIL teams, support workers and aged‑care staff via telehealth or in‑clinic sessions.
Funding & Fees
What are your fees?
Therapy sessions are billed at $193.99 per hour. Assessment fees vary depending on type and duration.
Do you accept NDIS?
Yes — we accept NDIA‑managed, plan‑managed and self‑managed clients.
Can I use Medicare?
Yes — with a GP EPC/CDMP referral. Rebate: $61.80 per session.
Can I use private health insurance?
Yes — depending on your level of cover.
Do you charge for reports?
Yes — reports are billed at our standard hourly rate. Your clinician will discuss expected timeframes before proceeding.
Practical Questions
What should we bring to the first appointment?
Do you need videos of meals?
Videos can be helpful but are not required. Your clinician will let you know if they would be useful.
Do you work with children who refuse to eat in clinic?
Yes — therapy does not require eating in the session. We focus on exploration, regulation and confidence, not pressure.
Do you diagnose ARFID or autism?
No — diagnoses must come from medical or psychology teams. We support feeding needs regardless of diagnosis.
Do you provide meal plans or nutrition advice?
We provide feeding and swallowing support. For nutrition‑specific advice, we may recommend a dietitian.
Swallowing & Safety
What are signs of swallowing difficulty?
Do you write mealtime management plans?
Yes — including texture/fluid recommendations, safety strategies, supervision requirements and escalation pathways.
Do you work with aged‑care residents?
Yes — we support swallowing and mealtime safety for older adults, including guidance for aged‑care teams.
Locations & Settings
Where do you provide services?
We provide services in our clinic and via telehealth. Our recommendations support mealtime participation across home, school, childcare, SIL and aged‑care environments. We do not provide on‑site mealtime supervision or in‑environment therapy.
Do you offer community‑based sessions?
We can provide guidance for mealtime participation in community environments (e.g., cafes, day programs).
Admin & Bookings
How do I book?
You can send a booking enquiry online, call our admin team or request an appointment through your GP or support coordinator.
Do you have a waitlist?
Wait times vary depending on age, service type and clinician availability.
Can I change or cancel an appointment?
Yes — please provide at least two business days’ notice as outlined in our cancellation policy.
Do you send appointment reminders?
Yes — via SMS and/or email.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help with anything you’re unsure about — whether it’s funding, referrals, assessments, what to expect at your first appointment, or anything else you’d like more information about.