Paediatric Feeding Support
Specialist feeding assessment & therapy for infants, children and teens in Newcastle & the Hunter Region
Feeding difficulties in childhood are rarely “just picky eating.” They can be influenced by sensory processing, oral‑motor skills, swallowing safety, anxiety, developmental differences, medical history and family mealtime routines. At THRIVE, we provide multidisciplinary paediatric feeding assessment and therapy for infants, children and adolescents across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Region.
Our team specialises in complex feeding presentations, including sensory‑based feeding challenges, ARFID, autism‑related feeding difficulties, oral‑motor delays and mealtime stress.
Whether you’re concerned about feeding skills, sensory needs, mealtime stress, swallowing safety or recovery after illness or injury — we’re here to help.
What we support
We help children and families experiencing:
- Suspected swallowing difficulties
- Selective eating or restricted food variety
- ARFID and severe food restriction
- Sensory‑based feeding challenges
- Autism‑related feeding difficulties
- Food refusal or mealtime distress
- Gagging, choking or difficulty trying new foods
- Oral‑motor feeding concerns
- Mealtime participation and behavioural challenges
Our approach
Feeding therapy at THRIVE is speech‑pathology‑led and supported by Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Behaviour Support when needed. We explore:
- Oral‑motor skills for chewing and drinking
- Sensory processing and regulation
- Swallowing safety
- Mealtime routines and family dynamics
- Emotional and behavioural factors
- Environmental and postural supports
Our goal is to create practical, low‑pressure, evidence‑based strategies that help children feel safe, confident and successful at mealtimes.
What to expect
Who we work with
Babies
(0-12 months)
Toddlers
(1-3 years)
Children
(4-12 years)
Teens
(13-17 years)
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes — but many children with feeding challenges have underlying sensory, oral‑motor or emotional factors that benefit from support.
Yes — our team provides ARFID‑informed, low‑pressure feeding therapy.
Yes. Speech Pathology leads feeding therapy, with OT, Psychology and Behaviour Support involved as needed.
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. Telehealth is available for feeding and swallowing support across NSW.
Yes — we support self‑managed, plan‑managed and NDIA‑managed participants through our parent company’s (EduCare) NDIS registration.