Fussy eating, feeding and growth

Many children go through a fussy stage. For some families, though, mealtimes become a daily battle: a very short list of “safe” foods, gagging at new textures, long meals or worry about whether your child is eating enough. If this sounds like your house, you are not alone, and you do not need to work it out by yourself. Our Dietitians, Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists work with children and families on the Gold Coast on eating, drinking and growth. Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy are at our Burleigh Waters and Hope Island clinics, Dietetics is at Burleigh Waters, and all three are available by telehealth.

Phone 07 5559 9888 or email reception@mytherapyspace.com.au.

Why eating can be hard

Eating is one of the most complicated things children learn to do. It uses the muscles of the mouth to bite, chew and swallow safely. It uses the senses, because every food has a look, smell, taste, texture and temperature. It depends on hunger and fullness, on the stage your child is at, and on how calm or worried they feel at the table.

Some children are very sensitive to taste or texture, so they stick to foods that feel safe, often soft, plain or crunchy foods of one colour or brand. Others find chewing or moving from purees to lumpier foods hard. Some children have medical, growth or nutrition needs because of a disability or health condition, or are fed by tube.

A child who refuses food is not “being naughty”. Often one part of eating is hard for them, and a Dietitian, Speech Pathologist or Occupational Therapist can help you find out which part.

Signs parents notice

These are things families often mention. They are not a checklist and they do not mean something is wrong. If you are unsure, a chat with reception is a good first step.

Eating and drinking skills

Feeding at the breast or bottle is a struggle, or feeds are very long.
Gags, coughs or gets upset when moving from smooth purees to lumpier or finger foods.
Finds chewing hard, holds food in their cheeks or prefers soft foods.
Still drinks most of their nutrition from a bottle when you expected more solid food.

The range of foods

Accepts only a few foods, or only one brand or texture.
Eats a very short list of foods, and the list is getting shorter.
Gags, cries or leaves the table when a new food is on the plate, or even nearby.
Still eats a very small range of foods, and it affects school, sport, sleepovers or eating out.

Mealtimes and growth

Meals take a very long time, or mealtimes are stressful for the whole family.
Has a lunchbox that comes home untouched most days.
Feels anxious about eating in front of others or trying new food.
You have been told your child is not growing as expected.
Has nutrition needs linked to a disability, health condition or tube feeding.

Some children and young people with disabilities or developmental differences need different textures, equipment or nutrition products. That is part of what we plan for together.

When to see your GP first: if your child is losing weight, is not growing as expected, often chokes, coughs or splutters when eating or drinking, has repeated chest infections, vomits often, or seems unwell or very tired, please see your GP. If an older child or teenager is skipping meals, very worried about their weight or body shape, or cutting out foods to lose weight, please see your GP. If your child is choking and cannot breathe, call 000.

How we help

The focus is on calm, enjoyable mealtimes and a wider range of foods, not on cutting foods out. Depending on your child’s goals, your therapist may:

work out your child’s nutrition needs and any gaps, and check growth using more than weight alone;
write a feeding plan with you that fits easy ideas and key nutrients into what your child already eats;
start with foods that are close to ones your child already likes, for example in colour, taste or texture;
help your child get used to a new food one small step at a time: having it nearby, touching it, smelling it, then tasting it, with no pressure to eat it;
practise the skills of eating and drinking, such as biting, chewing, using a cup or moving to a new texture;
involve your child in shopping, cooking and setting the table, so new foods become familiar;
suggest recipe ideas, and work with your child’s childcare or school on the food they have there;
support you with nutrition products or tube feeds.

Tube weaning: when your child is ready, we help them move from tube feeds to eating and drinking by mouth, step by step, working with your child’s medical team.

Parents are always involved, especially for children under 8. Our approach relies on working with you, so we are probably not the right service if you are looking for drop-off therapy.

Where. Our Dietitians see families at our Burleigh Waters clinic (Treetops Square, 2 Classic Way) and by telehealth. Dietetics is not offered at our Hope Island clinic. Families from the northern Gold Coast can see our Dietitians by telehealth. Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy are at both Burleigh Waters and Hope Island (8 Halcyon Way), and by telehealth.

Practice between sessions. Our Therapy Assistants can practise your child’s goals at home, at childcare or out in the community, following a plan written by their Dietitian, Speech Pathologist or Occupational Therapist.

Which therapist your child will see

A Dietitian, a Speech Pathologist, an Occupational Therapist, or more than one of them, depending on what is hard for your child.

Our Dietitians look at growth, nutrition and what your child eats and drinks, and help with fussy eating, mealtime strategies, feeding plans, nutrition products and tube feeding. They are Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) with Dietitians Australia.
Our Speech Pathologists help with feeding, swallowing, chewing and drinking, such as moving to a new texture or learning to bite and chew. They are Certified Practising Speech Pathologists (CPSP) with Speech Pathology Australia.
Our Occupational Therapists work on self-care skills, including feeding themselves with cutlery. They are registered with Ahpra.

You do not need to choose: our Directors match your child with a therapist suited to their needs. Our team works under one roof at Burleigh Waters, so your child’s Dietitian, Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist can plan together. See Dietitian and Speech Pathology for everything each team works on.

What a first visit looks like

Send a referral through our contact form, call 07 5559 9888 or come in and see reception. You do not need a letter from a GP.
We send you an intake form about your child, what support they may need, and their strengths and interests.
Our Directors read it and match your child with a therapist suited to their needs. Some families have an intake meeting with a Director first to set goals together. Depending on waitlists, your child is booked in or placed on the waiting list.

Your first appointment. The first appointment is a little longer, so your therapist can get to know your child. With a Dietitian it is 90 minutes face to face plus time afterwards for notes, follow up and therapy planning, and may be shorter depending on the care needed. A first appointment with a Speech Pathologist or Occupational Therapist is 60 minutes face to face plus time afterwards. A Dietitian will usually ask what your child eats and drinks, and look at their growth over time. You know your child well, so your goals shape the plan. Prices are on Therapist Fees.

What it costs and how funding can help

Fees. The first Dietitian appointment is $387.98 (90 minutes face to face, plus 30 minutes for notes, follow up and therapy planning; it may be shorter, depending on the care needed). The first Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy appointment is $290.70 (60 minutes face to face, plus 30 minutes). After that, a standard session is $209.95 (65 minutes billed: 50 minutes face to face, plus 15 minutes for planning, preparation, notes and session summaries). Reports are written outside the session and charged at your therapist’s usual rate. Therapy Assistants are $56.16 or $86.79 per hour, depending on the level of support (Therapy Assistant Fees).

NDIS. If therapy is in your child’s NDIS plan, the cost may be covered by the plan. We see self-managed and plan-managed clients, not NDIA-managed plans.

Medicare. With a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, Medicare pays back approximately $63.40 per session (as of 1 July 2026) for up to 5 sessions a calendar year. Your GP decides whether your child is eligible. You can claim eligible rebates on the spot at reception.

Private health. With extras cover that includes therapy, you may be eligible for a rebate. The amount depends on your cover, so check with your fund.

For a worked example and an estimate calculator, see What will I pay?. NDIS, Medicare or private health explains each option.

Group programs that fit

This term (Term 4 2026) our current group is the Prep Readiness Group, for children getting ready to start school: see Getting ready for Prep. Our summer school holiday programs are being finalised. See Workshops and Groups for what is on, or call 07 5559 9888 or email reception@mytherapyspace.com.au to register interest.

Questions families ask

Is a Dietitian the same as a nutritionist?

Not quite. In Australia, Accredited Practising Dietitians are university-qualified and accredited by Dietitians Australia. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.

Who should we see for fussy eating: a Dietitian, a Speech Pathologist or an OT?

You do not need to decide. Tell us what you are noticing on the intake form, and our Directors match your child with a therapist suited to their needs. Some children see more than one, and the team plans together.

Can you help with ARFID or tube weaning?

Yes. Our Dietitians support children with ARFID and families weaning from tube feeds. Some children eat a very small range of foods, or very little, for reasons other than being fussy. We help families understand what is going on and build a plan to widen what their child can eat, at a pace that feels safe.

Do I need a referral or a diagnosis?

No. You do not need a diagnosis or a referral to start therapy with us: you can refer your child yourself, and most families do. A referral, such as a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, is only needed if you want to claim a Medicare rebate. See Funding.

Can we use NDIS, Medicare or private health?

We see NDIS clients who are self-managed or plan-managed. Medicare rebates may apply with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, and eligible rebates can be claimed on the spot at reception. Families with private health extras cover may be able to claim a rebate. For a worked example, see What will I pay?

Talk to our team

Burleigh Waters and Hope Island, 8.30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Phone 07 5559 9888 or email reception@mytherapyspace.com.au.