Feeding Therapy Dietitian for paediatric nutrition

Our two senior pediatric dietitians, Peta and Caitlin, have undergone extensive training in pediatric nutrition and feeding therapy, covering areas such as:

Responsive Feeding Therapy
SOS (Sequential-Oral-Sensory) Feeding Therapy
Pediatric Growth and Assessment
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) & Pediatric Feeding Disorders
Enteral Nutrition and PEG Feeding
Managing Food Allergies and Intolerances
Neurodivergent and Disability Nutrition
Eating Disorders

About 5-Senses Feeding Therapy

Peta and Caitlin provide a play and sensory-based group feeding program called “5-Senses Feeding Therapy.” This program is available for both individual and group sessions, tailored to meet the needs of children aged 3 and above.

We apply an individual approach to each of our clients and their specific needs and offer individual responsive feeding therapy sessions with our dietitians for those who do not suit a group environment or with varying dietary requirements.

What are the 5-senses in this feeding therapy program?

Did you know we use all 5 of our senses when we eat food? These include touch, smell, hearing, sight and of course, taste! Have you ever had your child refuse a meal after only looking at it or smelling it? Our feeding therapists work with your child to discover a variety of different foods, new and familiar, using all our senses in a playful and explorative way.

We utilise our 5-senses in our group feeding therapy program across the below six sessions.



Changing Food States

In this session we are food scientists! Children will participating in experiments regarding how food changes from raw to cooked, hot to cold, soft to hard, and liquid to jelly! The outcome of this session is to gain understanding and acceptance in foods presented in a variety of textures and presentations.



Experiencing the 5 Flavours

In this session we introduce children to the 5 flavors, sweet, sour, umami, salty, and bitter. Children will be participating in food play with a variety of foods of each flavor and aim to taste and match the flavours to the foods. The outcome of this session is to heighten curiosity and gain acceptance of a broad range of food flavours.



Olfactory Acceptance

Now that your child has learned to identify the 5 flavours, this session will focus on linking smells to flavours and exploring whether a food smells the same as it tastes while building on abilities to accept new and different smells.



Mixed & Messy

This session is all amount making a mess! We will be making “cool food combos”, mixing flavours together, and using our hands to develop our sense of touch and textural reception.



Mechanical Effort

Exploring foods requiring mastication effort, meaning lots of chewing! In this session we introduce foods that require mechanical chewing effort, to build those jaw muscles and increase foods accepted, ranging from crunchy vegetables to chewier meats.



Unexpected & Unplanned

For our final session we will be exploring unpredictable foods, those that can be a bit different every time they are on offer, for example a blueberry or a grape. We will also be changing the eating environment, from the type of seating to no cutlery allowed. This session aims to build the child’s tolerance of familiar and spontaneous feeding environments, accepting and enjoying eating in new and different situations.

What to expect from feeding therapy

While each session varies slightly, parents can expect to bring their child to our feeding therapy room where they will be welcomed by two of our Dietitians. Our group sessions include up to 4 children per group and all food and utensils are provided.

The Dietitians prepare specific foods games for each session and use a variety of tools, utensils and magic to engage your child. We do not apply pressure or utilise bribery on your child to eat or taste foods, but rather promote a relaxed and fun environment for kids to work towards the 25-steps to eating from accepting a food on their plate to touching, smelling, with tasting as the ultimate goal.

Throughout the sessions, we also assess a child’s current eating and mealtime abilities and work with them to improve their chewing skills, use of utensils, ability to identify foods, and basic level food preparation skills. If we identify your child may need additional individual support, our Dietitians will discuss this with you following the session.

We usually ask families to relax in our waiting room while our Dietitians do their thing to minimise distractions, however for those who need extra support we do allow parents to observe. Group sessions generally run for up to 30 minutes and are followed by an individual 5-minute feedback discussion with our Dietitians who will provide follow-up homework for families to complete in-between sessions, building on the skills the child has learn in the group. Completion of additional tasks at home is a necessary part in your child improving their food acceptance in their own environment.

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