Feeding Therapy for Fussy Eaters in Brisbane & Mackay
Is every meal a struggle? Does your child survive on chicken nuggets and crackers? Are you exhausted from the daily food fights? You're not alone — and there's hope.
At Let's Talk, Let's Eat, our SOS & responsive feeding trained therapists help fussy eaters and children with feeding challenges across Brisbane Northside (Aspley), Brisbane Bayside (Ormiston), and Mackay. We transform stressful mealtimes into positive experiences using gentle, play-based approaches that actually work.
Our gently, pragmatic and evidence based approaches will also support children with oral pharyngeal dysphagia, and feeding tubes to have safe and enjoyable mealtimes with their families while developing their feeding and oral skills
Why Trust Us
SOS Approach to
Feeding certified therapists
Responsive Feeding —
child-led progression
Parent coaching included
Sensory-informed neuroaffirming practice
Supporting Non Oral Eaters
Multidisciplinary Clinic -
Supporting child growth,
eating skills and calm
functional mealtime
Is This Fussy Eating or a Feeding Problem?
When to Seek Feeding Therapy in Brisbane
All toddlers go through picky phases. But some children need professional support. Here's how to tell the difference:
Typical Picky Eating:
Eats 20+ different foods
Can tolerate new foods on plate
Eats something from most food groups
Will retry foods after breaks
Eats differently outside home
Problem Feeding (Needs Support):
Eats fewer than 20 foods consistently
Drops foods permanently (won't eat previously liked foods)
Refuses entire food groups (no vegetables, no meat, etc.)
Extreme reactions to new foods (gagging, vomiting, meltdowns)
Can't tolerate foods touching or mixed textures
Needs specific brands (only McDonald's nuggets, not homemade)
Meals take 45+ minutes or need constant distraction
Weight loss or poor growth (check with GP)
Family stress around every meal
Red Flags Requiring Immediate Support:
Choking or frequent gagging
Inability to transition from purees by 12 months
Losing weight or dehydration
Eating fewer than 10 foods
Complete meal refusal
Remember: Feeding therapy isn't about forcing your child to eat. It's about helping them feel safe and confident with food.
What We Help With in Feeding Therapy
Comprehensive Feeding Support for Brisbane Families
Fussy Eating & Food Selectivity
For children eating fewer than 20 foods or dropping foods from their diet. We expand variety using sensory play, food chaining (linking new foods to accepted ones), and systematic exposure.
Texture Progression Difficulties
Supporting children stuck on purees, struggling with lumps, or unable to manage mixed textures. We use graded exposure and oral motor exercises to build skills.
Sensory-Based Feeding Challenges
For children who gag at smells, can't tolerate food touching, or need specific temperatures. Our sensory-informed approach respects these genuine difficulties while building tolerance.
Oral Motor Delays
Helping children who struggle with:
Chewing (only swallowing whole)
Cup drinking
Straw use
Managing different textures
Tongue lateralisation (moving food side to side)
Medical & Developmental Feeding Issues
Supporting children with:
Reflux or GERD history
Tube weaning
Prematurity effects
Low muscle tone
Autism spectrum differences
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
Mealtime Behavior Challenges
Addressing
Meal refusal
Throwing food
Leaving table constantly
Requiring screens to eat
Extreme negotiation patterns
Your Feeding Therapy Journey
From Assessment to Calm Mealtimes
Step 1: Initial Phone Consultation (Free)
Call 0490 894 427 to discuss:
- Current feeding concerns
- Medical history relevant to feeding
- Your mealtime goals
- Best therapy approach for your family
Step 2: Comprehensive Feeding Assessment
We may evaluate:
- Current food repertoire (detailed list)
- Oral motor skills
- Sensory responses to food
- Mealtime behaviors and environment
- Parent-child feeding dynamics
- Growth and nutrition (In our combined Dietetic & Speech Pathology Clinic)
You receive:
- Written assessment report
- Individualised therapy plan
- Home strategies to start immediately
- Referral recommendations if needed
Step 3: Weekly Therapy Sessions
Session structure (45 minutes):
- Food exploration without pressure
- Oral motor exercises disguised as play
- Systematic desensitisation activities
- Parent coaching and modeling
- Home program planning
What a session looks like: Children might paint with yogurt, make broccoli stamps, build cucumber towers, or have "food science" experiments. It looks like play because that's how children learn best.
Step 4: Parent Education & Support
You'll learn:
- Division of Responsibility in feeding
- Reducing mealtime pressure
- Food chaining techniques
- Managing difficult behaviors
- Creating positive mealtime environments
Our Feeding Therapy Programs
Individual & Group Options in Brisbane
Individual Feeding Therapy
One-on-one sessions tailored to your child's specific needs. Available at:
Aspley Clinic - Brisbane Northside
Ormiston Clinic - Redlands
Mackay Services - Telehealth only
In-home sessions (selected areas)
Telehealth coaching for parents
Food Explorer Group Program
Fun, social approach to trying new foods with peers. Children explore foods through:
Science experiments
Art activities
Sensory play
Cooking experiences
Group meals
Groups run weekly during school terms with intensives 4-6 sessions on school holidays
Groups typically contain children 2-5 or 6-9 years.
Parent Training Workshops
Learn the SOS Approach strategies to support your fussy eater:
Understanding food selectivity
Reducing mealtime pressure
Food chaining techniques
Creating positive food environments
Kindy & School Support
We can work with your child's educators to:
Support lunchbox acceptance
Manage social eating situations
Provide strategies for food-based activities
Learn About Group Programs
Why Choose LTLE for Feeding Therapy
Brisbane's Trusted Feeding Specialists
SOS-Certified Expertise
- Multiple SOS-trained therapists
- Regular supervision and training updates
- Evidence-based, internationally recognised approach
Holistic Family Support
- Parent coaching in every session
- Whole family mealtime strategies
- Collaboration with medical teams
- Connection to dietitians and OTs
Convenient Brisbane Locations
- Northside - Aspley: Serving Bridgeman Downs, Carseldine, Chermside
- Bayside - Ormiston: Serving Cleveland, Wellington Point, Capalaba
- Regional - Mackay: Supporting Central Queensland families
Flexible Service Delivery
- Clinic sessions in child-friendly spaces
- Home visits for natural environment practice
- Telehealth for direct child led food exploration and parent coaching
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Feeding Therapy Questions Answered
Start Your Journey to Peaceful Mealtimes
You don't have to dread every meal. With expert feeding therapy, your child can learn to enjoy a variety of foods, and your family can reconnect over peaceful mealtimes.
Speak directly with our friendly admin team
Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
OR
We'll call you back within one business day
Why call us directly:
Immediate answers to your questions
Book assessment while on the phone
Understand costs and NDIS processes
Faster appointment availability