Dietetics & Feeding Therapy
About Dietetics
At Emble Allied Health, we know that nutrition is deeply connected to an individual’s health, development, and overall wellbeing. Our Dietitians support infants as young as 6 months through to children and adolescents through a personalised, evidence-based approach that is neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, and responsive to each individual’s needs.
Whether it’s fostering a positive relationship with food, addressing growth and nutrition concerns, or working through mealtime challenges, we tailor our support to empower young people and their families in a way that feels safe, achievable, and sustainable.
Our team is experienced in providing support and guidance in the areas of:
- Fussy eating and food refusal due to sensory differences or past negative experiences
- Allergies, intolerances, and nutrient deficiencies
- Eating disorders and disordered eating patterns
- Mealtime struggles (e.g., difficulty sitting at the table, disrupted appetite, extended mealtimes, emotional dysregulation)
- Starting solids and introducing new foods
- Establishing a healthy growth curve, ensuring steady weight gain and addressing concerns around weight loss or excessive weight gain
How does it work?
1. Initial Consultation
Understanding Your Child’s Needs
The first appointment is a collaborative session with the parent(s) and child. Depending on your child and family’s needs, our Dieticians will:
- Gather information about your child’s growth, medical history, and overall wellbeing
- Assess dietary intake, nutrition, sensory preferences, and lifestyle factors
- Discuss blood test results, medications, supplements, bowel health, sleep, and physical activity
- Observe the mealtime environment and explore any challenges related to eating and feeding
- Work with you to set realistic goals and develop a tailored plan for support
2. Ongoing Review & Support
Tailored to Your Family’s Needs
Our follow-up sessions are flexible and personalised, based on your child’s progress and goals. These may include:
- Parent Coaching – Support for parents to build confidence and implement strategies at home
- Child-Focused Sessions – Further assessment, nutrition counselling, and hands-on food exploration
- Monitoring Progress – Tracking growth, nutrition, and making adjustments as needed
- Mealtime Observations – Assessing eating habits at home, school, or kinder
- Collaboration with Support Teams – Liaising with teachers, therapists, and healthcare providers
- Developing Practical Tools – Customised meal plans, food strategies, and goal-based interventions
About Feeding Therapy
At Emble, we understand that mealtimes can be challenging for many children and their families. Our Feeding Therapy team, made up of Speech Pathologists and Dietitians, takes a responsive, child-led approach to help children develop a healthy, positive relationship with food.
Our team has completed specialised training in Responsive Feeding Therapy (RFT), an approach that focuses on respecting a child’s cues, autonomy, and emotional wellbeing during meals. Our team strives to create a safe and supportive environment where children feel confident exploring food at their own pace.
Our Approach to Feeding Therapy
- Child-led exploration – Encouraging children to tune into their own hunger, fullness, and comfort levels with food
- Creating a positive mealtime experience – Reducing stress and making mealtimes enjoyable for the whole family
- Sensory and motor support – Helping children navigate challenges with textures, smells, and the mechanics of eating
- Building confidence with food – Creating a safe and supportive space for children to explore new foods at their own pace
- Respecting autonomy – Empowering children to have a say in their food choices while working towards variety and balance
Where Do Sessions Take Place?
Feeding Therapy sessions are flexible and can occur:
- In our clinic – A supportive space for children to engage in therapy
- In the home – Working in a child’s everyday environment where mealtime challenges naturally occur
What Outcomes Can Be Achieved Through Feeding Therapy?
- Increased acceptance of new foods and variations of familiar foods
- More positive and enjoyable mealtimes for both children and caregivers
- Reduced anxiety around food and improved confidence in trying unfamiliar foods
- Greater variety in diet and increased flexibility with food preferences
- Development of cutlery skills and age-appropriate food preparation abilities
- Improved communication about food preferences
- Reduced stress around small changes (e.g., different brands, slight variations in texture, or new environments)
Who Can Benefit From Feeding Therapy?
Our Feeding Therapy team works with children from around 1.5–2 years of age and up, and we also offer modified feeding therapy for adults. Support is available for individuals experiencing:
- Fussy or picky eating
- Paediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- Negative mealtime behaviours (e.g., food refusal, tantrums, avoidance)
- Signs of distress at mealtimes (e.g., gagging, choking, table banging, distractions, excessively long mealtimes)
Feeding Therapy is about more than just eating – it’s about fostering confidence, autonomy, and enjoyment around food. Our team is here to help make mealtimes feel more relaxed, engaging, and successful for children and their families.
